libel
Noun:
- A published false statement damaging to a person's reputation: In law, "libel" refers to a defamatory statement expressed in a fixed medium, typically writing, print, or broadcast, that unjustly harms someone's character.
- The act or crime of publishing such a statement: "Libel" can also refer to the legal offense or tort of making such defamatory publications.
Verb (transitive):
- To publish a false and damaging statement about someone: To "libel" someone means to defame them through written, printed, or broadcast material.
Noun: The celebrity sued the magazine for libel after it printed false stories about her personal life. In many jurisdictions, proving libel requires demonstrating that the statement was false and caused harm.
Verb: The author was accused of libeling a public figure in his controversial biography. It is dangerous to libel someone online, as digital publications are considered permanent records.
"Actionable libel": A defamatory statement serious enough to warrant a lawsuit. The false accusation of criminal activity constituted actionable libel.
"Libel per se": A statement that is defamatory on its face without needing to prove special damages (e.g., accusing someone of a crime, having a loathsome disease, or lacking professional competence). Claiming a doctor is a fraud is considered libel per se.
Libelous (Adjective): Containing or constituting a libel; defamatory. The article was found to be libelous and was retracted.
Libeler (Noun): A person who commits libel. The court ordered the libeler to pay substantial damages.
- Defamation (Noun): The broader act of damaging someone's good reputation (libel is a form of defamation).
- Slander (Noun): Defamation through spoken words or transient gestures, as opposed to permanent forms like writing (libel).
(Note: "Libel" does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Legal phrases are more typical.) - To sue for libel: To initiate a legal action claiming defamation by written or published words. The company decided to sue for libel after the damaging report.
- A libel claim/lawsuit: The legal case brought for libel.
(Note: "Libel" is primarily a legal term and is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. The concept is more directly expressed.) - "Throw mud": To make damaging accusations or insults (a more general idiom for defamation). Politicians often throw mud at their opponents during campaigns.
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the written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defamation) and any relief he seeks
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a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
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print slanderous statements against
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The newspaper was accused of libeling him
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