false light

noun

: an untrue or misleading portrayal
unreasonably placed their family in a false light before the publicCantrell v. Forest City Publishing Co., 419 U.S. 245 (1974)
also : an invasion of privacy tort that is based on injury to the victim's reputation by such a portrayal (as in a publication) compare defamation, libel, slander

Note: The false light cause of action is not recognized in all jurisdictions. Where it is recognized, the misrepresentation creating the false light does not need to be defamatory, but it must be offensive or objectionable to a reasonable person and made with knowledge of its inaccuracy.

Dictionary Entries Near false light

Cite this Entry

“False light.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/false%20light. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!