as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the governor's office issued a statement accusing the state's largest newspaper of libel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to smear
to make untrue and harmful statements about
the court decided that the newspaper's reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of libel
Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 8 Aug. 2024
The company still faces a libel suit from Eric Coomer, a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems who was falsely accused of rigging the 2020 election in favor of President Joe Biden.
—Melissa Cruz, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2024
Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2022
Its self-righteous blinders have led it to reflexively libel even accomplished scholars.
—A. J. Caschetta, National Review, 26 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for libel 
Noun
Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy dissented, noting that Ohio's one-year statute of limitations for slander and libel cases has stood since 1853.
—Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 8 Aug. 2024
The company still faces a libel suit from Eric Coomer, a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems who was falsely accused of rigging the 2020 election in favor of President Joe Biden.
—Melissa Cruz, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2024
Verb
The jury of nine began deliberations on Friday afternoon and on Tuesday said the newspaper did not libel the former vice presidential nominee through a 2017 editorial.
—Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2022
Its self-righteous blinders have led it to reflexively libel even accomplished scholars.
—A. J. Caschetta, National Review, 26 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for libel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel
Noun
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The contract re-upping comes after ABC News recently settled a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Donald Trump for comments Stephanopoulos made on-air in March.Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 18 Dec. 2024
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Seth Stern, director of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, said Trump and his political allies have used consumer protection laws as a workaround when defamation lawsuits aren't as feasible.Elahe Izadi, arkansasonline.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Beijing has accused Washington of fabricating the charges to smear China's image, Reuters reports.Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
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And on the streets of Tripoli in the north, there are spicy fish sandwiches served on pita bread smeared with toum.Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Aside from slandering some of the hard-working staff members at federal statistics agencies, such assertions ignore the fact that independent, private estimates also show strong job growth and low inflation.Paul Krugman, The Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2024
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The reading of history damps down the impulse to slander the trend and tenor of the times, instills a sense of humor, lessens our fear of what might happen tomorrow.Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 19 Aug. 2024
Verb
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They've been disgraced due to allegations that Valya's great grandfather committed a war crime, but Valya insists the claims are false.Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024
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To not do so would disgrace the country and strip the Senate of all credibility.Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Last week, Freeman and Moss asked the Washington, D.C., judge who presided over their defamation trial to hold Giuliani in contempt for continuing to defame them in a pending request.Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 26 Nov. 2024
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Lake still faces proceedings in Maricopa County Superior Court for defaming the county’s Recorder, Stephen Richer, over his administration of the 2022 elections.Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Yaeger questioned why Mangum had not come forward earlier or sent apologies directly to the three former lacrosse players, long after her allegations were discredited.Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
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This response was a bold, unfiltered counterpunch meant to discredit the lawsuit, take aim at Buzbee, and flip the narrative.Molly McPherson, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near libel
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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