Definition

1. Verb:
   • To damage the good reputation of someone by making false or malicious statements about them; to slander or libel.
   • To attack the good name and character of a person, often publicly.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • The celebrity sued the tabloid for attempting to defame her with outrageous lies.
  • Politicians are often defamed by their opponents during election campaigns.
  • He claimed the article was written solely to defame his character and ruin his business.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Legal Context: "Defame" is a formal term often used in legal contexts. The related nouns are defamation (the general act), libel (written defamation), and slander (spoken defamation).
  • The company filed a lawsuit for defamation.
• "to defame someone's character": A common collocation emphasizing the attack on a person's moral standing.
  • The rumors were spread to deliberately defame his character.

Variants and Related Words

• Defamation (n): The act of defaming; the condition of being defamed.
  • The lawsuit was based on claims of defamation.
• Defamatory (adj): (Of remarks, writing, etc.) harmful and often false; likely to damage someone's reputation.
  • The judge ruled the comments were defamatory.
• Defamer (n): A person who defames someone.

Synonyms

• Slander: To make a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
• Libel: To publish a false written statement damaging to a person's reputation.
• Malign: To speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.
• Vilify: To speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner.
• Smear: To damage the reputation of someone by false accusations; to slander.

Antonyms

• Praise: To express warm approval or admiration.
• Compliment: A polite expression of praise or admiration.
• Honor: To regard with great respect.
• Commend: To praise formally or officially.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "Drag someone's name through the mud": To publicly criticize and disgrace someone, similar in meaning to defame.
  • The scandal dragged the family's name through the mud.

Verb

1. charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
   • The journalists have defamed me! The article in the paper sullied my reputation