defame

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

Examples 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
Verb
  • Kimberlee Singler, 36, is accused of drugging then killing her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son in December 2023.
    Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
  • They are accused of helping the teen flee from justice.
    Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In the Mecklenburg County jail, he was accused of assaulting guards, breaking sprinklers, and smearing feces on his cell walls.
    Kallie Cox, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The peanut pesto smearing the fish hits all the flavor notes: umami from the fish sauce, caramelly sweetness from the brown sugar, and brightness from the lime juice.
    Megan Zhang, Saveur, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Chris Johnson was indicted in January on more than 60 charges, including abuse to a dead body, abandonment of a dead body, theft by deception violation of vital records and insurance fraud, WALB and WSB-TV reported.
    Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Cruz was indicted Thursday for second-degree murder in the 2:30 p.m. stabbing of the 36-year-old postman at Joe’s Grocery, on Lenox Rd.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • My neighbor invited me to dinner, then humiliated me in front of the other women Miss Manners: Strangers keep telling me distressing stories.
    Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The Ravens, particularly bruising runner Derrick Henry, humiliated the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.
    Tim Graham, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Beyond her work as a lobbyist, Bondi solidified her reputation as a Trump loyalist by defending him on the floor of the Senate during his first impeachment and helping his efforts to discredit the 2020 election results.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The AfD has strongly rejected the designation, portraying it as a political attempt to discredit the party.
    Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near defame

Cite this Entry

“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defame. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on defame

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