DEFAME Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'defame' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of defame are asperse , calumniate , malign , slander , traduce , and vilify . While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name. // sued them for defaming her reputation

Q: When could 'asperse' be used to replace 'defame'?

In some situations, the words asperse and defame are roughly equivalent. However, asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction. // both candidates aspersed the other's motives

Q: When is it sensible to use 'calumniate' instead of 'defame'?

While the synonyms calumniate and defame are close in meaning, calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions. // falsely calumniated as a traitor

Q: Where would 'malign' be a reasonable alternative to 'defame'?

Although the words malign and defame have much in common, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying. // the most maligned monarch in British history

Q: In what contexts can 'slander' take the place of 'defame'?

The meanings of slander and defame largely overlap; however, slander stresses the suffering of the victim. // town gossips slandered their good name

Q: When can 'traduce' be used instead of 'defame'?

The words traduce and defame are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim. // so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

Q: When would 'vilify' be a good substitute for 'defame'?

The words vilify and defame can be used in similar contexts, but vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse. // no criminal was more vilified in the press

defame

verb

di-ˈfām

Definition of defame next

as in to libel

to make untrue and harmful statements about of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to accuse

archaic to make a claim of wrongdoing against so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb defame differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of defame are asperse, calumniate, malign, slander, traduce, and vilify. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When could asperse be used to replace defame?

In some situations, the words asperse and defame are roughly equivalent. However, asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

When is it sensible to use calumniate instead of defame?

While the synonyms calumniate and defame are close in meaning, calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

Where would malign be a reasonable alternative to defame?

Although the words malign and defame have much in common, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

In what contexts can slander take the place of defame?

The meanings of slander and defame largely overlap; however, slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

When can traduce be used instead of defame?

The words traduce and defame are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

When would vilify be a good substitute for defame?

The words vilify and defame can be used in similar contexts, but vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defame Hogan alleged in a lawsuit filed on Nov. 14 of last year that Ristow, Moore and Los Gatos Democracy Tent moderator Lee Fagot conspired to defame her and keep her from attending the regular meetings of the discussion group. —

Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2025 Lively sued Baldoni for mental pain and anguish, severe emotional distress, and lost wages; Baldoni sued the New York Times for libel, alleging that the publication defamed him with its piece about the alleged PR campaign against Lively. —

Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 4 Jan. 2025 Rudy Giuliani faces a contempt hearing in Manhattan federal court Friday for failing to satisfy a judge’s orders to cough up assets to the Georgia mother and daughter he was found liable for defaming. —

Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025 Giuliani was found liable last year for defaming two former Georgia election workers, Freeman and her daughter Moss, after falsely accusing them of ballot tampering during the election. —

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for defame

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defame

Verb

Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.

— Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Though he was not named in the ad, Mr. Sullivan asserted he had been personally libeled by The Times and four Black ministers who were signed to the ad.

— David W. Dunlap, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024