Definition

Adjective: - Harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign: Describes a statement, especially a written or published one, that is damaging to a person's reputation because it is false or malicious.

Usage

The adjective "libelous" is used to characterize a specific type of damaging statement. It is most commonly applied to written or published material (like articles, books, or social media posts) that defames someone. It describes the nature of the content itself. - It typically modifies nouns like statement, article, claim, allegation, comments, book. - It is often used in legal, journalistic, and formal contexts. - The spelling libellous is the standard British English variant.

Examples

• The newspaper retracted the libelous article after it was proven false.
• He threatened to sue the author for making libelous claims about his business practices.
• Publishing such libelous accusations without evidence is irresponsible.

Advanced Usage

• "Actionably libelous": A legal term meaning the statement is not only defamatory but also meets the specific legal criteria to support a lawsuit for libel.
  • The judge ruled that the blog post was actionably libelous.
• "Per se libelous": Refers to statements that are considered defamatory on their face, without the need to prove special damages (e.g., accusations of a crime, having a loathsome disease, or professional incompetence).
  • Accusing a doctor of medical malpractice is often considered libelous per se.

Variants and Related Words

• Libel (n): A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; the act of publishing such a statement.
  • She filed a lawsuit for libel.
• Libel (v): To publish a libel about someone.
  • He was libeled in the tabloid press.
• Libellous (adj): The British English spelling of "libelous".

Synonyms

• Defamatory: Damaging the good reputation of someone; slanderous or libelous.
• Slanderous: (Typically for spoken statements) Making false and damaging statements about someone.
• Calumnious: Making false and defamatory statements about someone with malicious intent.
• Vilifying: Speaking or writing about someone in an abusively disparaging manner.

Antonyms

• Complimentary: Expressing praise or admiration.
• Flattering: Full of praise and compliments.
• Laudatory: Expressing praise and commendation.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To be guilty of libel": To have committed the act of publishing a libelous statement.
  • The magazine was found guilty of libel.
• "A libel suit/action": A lawsuit brought for libel.
  • The celebrity won a substantial settlement in the libel suit.

Adjective

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