defamation
Defamation is the act of saying or writing false things about a person to hurt their reputation. It is a legal term used when one person's lies cause harm to how others see someone else.
Examples
3 of 5The celebrity sued the magazine for defamation after they printed a fake story.
The famous person took legal action against the magazine for spreading lies.
The court found that the defendant was guilty of defamation of character.
The judge decided that the person lied to hurt the other person's reputation.
You can't just post lies about me online; that is defamation!
You are not allowed to write false things about me on the internet.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'De-faming'—the act of taking away someone's 'fame' or good name by telling lies.
Quick Quiz
The actor decided to sue the newspaper for ________ after they wrote a false story about him.
Correct!
The correct answer is: defamation
Examples
The celebrity sued the magazine for defamation after they printed a fake story.
everydayThe famous person took legal action against the magazine for spreading lies.
The court found that the defendant was guilty of defamation of character.
formalThe judge decided that the person lied to hurt the other person's reputation.
You can't just post lies about me online; that is defamation!
informalYou are not allowed to write false things about me on the internet.
The study explores how defamation laws impact freedom of speech in modern media.
academicThe academic paper looks at how laws against lying affect what people can say.
Our company has strict policies to prevent the defamation of our competitors.
businessOur business makes sure we do not say false things about other companies.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
actionable defamation
lies that are serious enough to go to court
grounds for defamation
having enough evidence to prove someone lied about you
accidental defamation
hurting a reputation without meaning to tell a lie
Often Confused With
Libel is specifically written defamation, whereas defamation is the general term for both written and spoken lies.
Slander is specifically spoken defamation, while defamation covers all types of reputation damage.
Usage Notes
Use 'defamation' when talking about legal issues or serious damage to a person's name. It is more formal than saying someone is 'lying' or 'gossiping'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use this word for any kind of insult, but it is only defamation if the statement is false and presented as a fact.
Memory Tip
Think of 'De-faming'—the act of taking away someone's 'fame' or good name by telling lies.
Word Origin
From the Latin word 'diffamare', which means to spread an evil report or take away a reputation.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many countries, laws protect public figures less than private citizens to allow for political criticism.
Quick Quiz
The actor decided to sue the newspaper for ________ after they wrote a false story about him.
Correct!
The correct answer is: defamation
Related Vocabulary
More law words
justice
A1Justice is the quality of being fair and reasonable in how people are treated. It also refers to the legal system and the way laws are used to punish people who do wrong.
verdict
A1A verdict is the official decision made by a jury or judge in a court of law about whether someone is guilty or not guilty. It is also used to describe a person's final opinion or judgment about something after testing or considering it.
trial
A1A formal process in a court of law to decide if someone is guilty of a crime. It involves a judge, and sometimes a jury, who listen to evidence and witnesses.
hearing
A1In a legal context, a hearing is a formal meeting where a judge or official listens to facts and arguments about a specific issue. It is typically shorter and less formal than a full trial but follows strict legal rules.
litigation
A1Litigation is the process of using a court of law to solve a legal disagreement. It involves a judge or jury making a final decision about a dispute between people or companies.
testimony
A1A formal statement given by a witness in a court of law or a public meeting. It is also used to describe something that serves as clear proof that a fact is true.
witness
A1A witness is a person who sees an event, such as a crime or an accident, take place. In a legal context, this person provides information or evidence in a court about what they observed.
crime
A1A crime is an action that is against the law and is punishable by the government. It refers to illegal activities like stealing or hurting someone.
criminal
A1A person who has committed a crime or done something illegal. This word describes someone who breaks the law and may be punished by the police or a court.
felony
A1A felony is a very serious crime, such as murder or armed robbery. In legal systems, it is a crime that is punished more severely than a minor offense, often resulting in more than one year in prison.
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