DEFAMATION Definition & Meaning

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defamation

[ def-uh-mey-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act of defaming; false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel; calumny:
She sued the magazine for defamation of character.

defamation

/ ˌ��ɛ��əˈ��ɪʃə�� /

noun

law the injuring of a person's good name or reputation Compare libel slander
the act of defaming or state of being defamed

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Confusables Note

See slander.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of defamation¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English; replacing (by analogy with defame ) Middle English diffamacioun, from Medieval Latin �徱�ڴ��峾��پ�ō��- (stem of �徱�ڴ��峾��پ�ō ), equivalent to Latin �徱�ڴ��峾��(�ܲ�) (past participle of �徱�ڴ��峾��; defame ) + -��ō��- noun suffix ( -ion )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In 2023, Fox News paid $787.5 million to settle a separate defamation suit filed by Dominion Voting Systems over its reporting on President Trump’s false claims of election fraud in 2020.

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The company has since taken legal action against her for defamation, which she is contesting.

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Drake has amended his defamation suit against Universal Music Group to reference Kendrick Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us” at the Super Bowl.

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She has consistently denied the accusation, and decided to bring a defamation case against the firm in 2019.

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A former health insurance medical director has taken legal action against ‘Last Week Tonight’ host John Oliver, filing a defamation lawsuit against the Emmy winner.

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Related 51�Թ�s

defalcation defamatory

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