Libel
/ˈlaɪbəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsA published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.
/ˈlaɪbəl/
A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation.
The lawsuit alleged that the magazine had committed libel.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone writes a mean story about you in the school newspaper, and it's not true, and makes other kids think badly of you. That's kind of like libel, but in the grown-up world, and it can have serious legal consequences.
👶 For kids: Telling a lie about someone in writing that makes them look bad.
More Examples
He was accused of writing a libel against his political opponent.
The court ruled that the article constituted libel.
How It's Used
"The newspaper was sued for libel after publishing false information."
"The article contained several instances of libel, damaging the reputation of the subject."
To publish a false statement that damages someone's reputation; to commit libel against.
/ˈlaɪbəl/
To publish a false statement that damages someone's reputation.
The newspaper was sued for libeling the actress.
💡 Simply: Imagine you post something on social media that's not true and hurts someone's feelings and makes them look bad. If that's a serious written or recorded thing, you might be 'libeling' them.
👶 For kids: To write a lie about someone that makes them look bad.
More Examples
He threatened to libel anyone who spread rumors.
The writer was careful not to libel anyone in the article.
How It's Used
"The journalist was accused of libeling the politician."
"The newspaper was sued for libeling the company."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
libel tourism
The practice of bringing libel lawsuits in countries with more favorable libel laws, or where it's easier to win a case, even if the relevant events occurred elsewhere.
"Some countries are targeted for libel tourism due to their lenient laws."
From Latin *libellus* meaning 'little book' or 'pamphlet'. Originally referred to a written statement; later evolved to encompass defamatory material. The term has been used since the 1500s to describe a written false statement that damages someone's reputation.
The term 'libel' has been used in legal contexts to describe defamatory written statements for several centuries. Early examples can be found in legal documents from the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of a 'lie-bell' – a bell that rings to spread lies about someone. Libel is the written form of this.
Word Origin
"little book or pamphlet; a brief written statement"