defamation

/dɛfəˈmeɪʃɪn/

/dɛfəˈmeɪʃən/

Other forms: defamations

Defamation is a dirty trick against someone's reputation. If you were so furious at your friend that you spread a rumor that he was still wetting his bed, that would be defamation of your friend.

The noun defamation describes something very mean and completely deliberate, essentially a false accusation against someone or an attack on a person's good reputation. The terms libel and slander — written or spoken lies about a person, group, or business — both fall under the category of defamation. Sometimes defamation is even a punishable crime, and in every instance it's unkind and malicious.

Definitions of defamation

1. noun

   an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
   synonyms: aspersion, calumny, denigration, slander

   type of:

   attack

   strong criticism
2. noun

   a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
   synonyms: calumniation, calumny, hatchet job, obloquy, traducement

   types:

   assassination, blackwash, character assassination

   an attack intended to ruin someone's reputation

   malignment, smear, vilification

   slanderous defamation

   libel

   a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person

   slander

   words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another

   name calling, names

   verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

   epithet, name

   a defamatory or abusive word or phrase

   mud

   slanderous remarks or charges

   smear word

   an epithet that can be used to smear someone's reputation

   type of:

   depreciation, derogation, disparagement

   a communication that belittles somebody or something