libeller

Definition

Noun: A person who publishes a false written or printed statement that damages someone's reputation.

Usage Examples

• (A person who publishes defamatory material.)
• (Someone found guilty of making false and damaging statements.)
• (A person who deliberately damages another's reputation through writing.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act as a libeller": to engage in the act of publishing defamatory statements.

  • The journalist acted as a libeller by printing unverified accusations. (The journalist published damaging falsehoods.)

• "to be accused of being a libeller": to be formally charged with defamation.

  • The blogger was accused of being a libeller after posting false claims about the company. (The blogger faced legal action for defamation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Libel (n): a false written or printed statement that damages someone's reputation.

  • The article was a clear case of libel. (The written statement was defamatory.)

• Libellous (adj): containing or constituting a libel.

  • The accusations were deemed libellous by the court. (The statements were defamatory.)

• Libelist (n): a synonym for libeller; one who publishes libel.

  • The libelist was fined heavily for his malicious writings. (A person who engages in libel.)

Synonyms

• Defamer: a person who defames another's reputation.
• Slanderer: a person who makes false spoken statements that damage reputation (distinct from written libel).
• Traducer: someone who speaks maliciously and falsely of another.

Related Idioms

• To drag someone's name through the mud: to damage someone's reputation by spreading false or harmful information.

  • The libeller dragged the celebrity's name through the mud with baseless rumors. (The libeller severely harmed the celebrity's reputation.)

• To cast aspersions on someone: to suggest that someone is less than honest or good.

  • The libeller cast aspersions on the mayor's integrity in a pamphlet. (The libeller made damaging insinuations.)