Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign: Describes a statement, piece of writing, or other communication that is damaging to a person's reputation because it contains false and malicious information. It is the adjective form related to the legal concept of libel.

Usage and Examples

• General Usage:

  • The newspaper published a libellous article about the politician, claiming he had accepted bribes without any evidence.
  • She threatened to sue the author for making libellous remarks in the biography.
  • Spreading libellous gossip can have serious legal consequences.

• In Legal Context:

  • The judge ruled that the comments were libellous and awarded damages to the plaintiff.
  • To win a libel case, you must prove the statement was both false and libellous.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Libellous" vs. "Defamatory": While both mean damaging to reputation, "libellous" specifically refers to defamation in a permanent form, such as writing, printing, pictures, or broadcast (libel). "Defamatory" is a broader term that also includes spoken defamation (slander).
  • The blog post was not just critical; it was libellous.
• "Libellous statement": A common collocation emphasizing the nature of the communication.
  • The company's lawyer demanded a retraction for the libellous statement.

Variants and Related Words

• Libel (n.): The published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; the act of publishing such a statement.
  • He was a victim of libel.
• Libel (v.): To publish a libellous statement about someone.
  • They attempted to libel their former business partner.
• Libelously (adv.): In a libellous manner.
  • The story was libelously inaccurate.

Synonyms

• Defamatory: Damaging the good reputation of someone.
• Slanderous: (Specifically for spoken false statements) Making false and damaging statements about someone.
• Calumnious: Making false and defamatory statements about someone with malicious intent.
• Malicious: Intending to do harm.

Antonyms

• Complimentary: Expressing praise or admiration.
• Flattering: Full of praise and compliments.
• Accurate: Correct in all details.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "To be the subject of libellous allegations": To be accused of something in a false and damaging published form.
  • The celebrity found herself the subject of libellous allegations in a tabloid.
• "A libellous campaign": A sustained series of libellous attacks.
  • The politician faced a libellous campaign from his opponents.

Adjective

1. (used of statements) harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign