Defamation
/ˌdɛfəˈmeɪʃən/
Definitions
The action of damaging the good reputation of someone; slander or libel.
/ˌdɛfəˈmeɪʃən/
The act of damaging someone's reputation by making false statements.
The lawsuit was filed on the grounds of defamation of character.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone spreads a nasty rumor about you that's not true. That's defamation. It's like they're trying to ruin your reputation with lies. Like, if someone says you cheated on a test, and that’s not true, that's a defaming statement, if the purpose is to damage your image
👶 For kids: When someone says something bad about you that isn't true, and it hurts your feelings or makes people not like you, that's defamation.
More Examples
The journalist was accused of defamation after publishing the article.
She claimed the accusations were nothing more than defamation.
How It's Used
"Defamation is a civil wrong; it can lead to legal action."
"The newspaper was sued for defamation after publishing the article."
Idioms & expressions
libel and slander
The two main forms of defamation; libel involves written or published statements, while slander involves spoken words.
"The legal definition of defamation typically encompasses both libel and slander."
defamation per se
Defamation that is actionable without proof of special damages.
"Certain types of statements are considered defamation per se, such as accusing someone of a crime or having a loathsome disease."
From Latin *dēfāmātiō* (“slandering, defamation”), from *dēfāmō* (“to defame”), from *dē-* (“down, away”) + *fāma* (“reputation, fame”).
The term 'defamation' has been used in legal and literary contexts for centuries, evolving alongside societal views on free speech and reputation.
Memory tip
Think of DE-fame-ATION: taking AWAY someone's fame.
Word Origin
"to defame (to slander)"