Definition

1. Noun:

   • A false and damaging spoken statement about someone: "Slander" refers specifically to spoken words that harm a person's reputation by communicating false and malicious information about them.
   • The act of making such a statement: It also denotes the act or offense of uttering such defamatory words.

2. Verb:

   • To utter a false and damaging statement about someone: To "slander" someone means to speak a false statement that injures their reputation.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The politician sued the newspaper for slander after they broadcast the false allegations.
  • Spreading that rumor about her is pure slander.

• Verb:

  • He was accused of slandering his former business partner during the interview.
  • You should not slander people without any evidence.

Advanced Usage

• Legal Context: In law, "slander" is a tort (a civil wrong) and is distinguished from "libel," which is defamation in written or published form. Slander pertains specifically to transient, spoken forms.
  • The lawsuit claimed slander, arguing the false statements were made in a public speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Slanderous (adj): Having the nature of or containing slander; defamatory.
  • The article was full of slanderous accusations.
• Slanderer (n): A person who slanders.
  • The court ordered the slanderer to pay damages.

Synonyms

• Defamation (n): The act of damaging someone's good reputation (this is the general category; slander is a type of defamation).
• Calumny (n): The making of false and defamatory statements to damage someone's reputation; slander.
• Malign (v): To speak harmful untruths about; to speak evil of.

Antonyms

• Praise (n/v): Expression of approval or admiration.
• Compliment (n/v): A polite expression of praise or admiration.
• Acclaim (n/v): Enthusiastic and public praise.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• A campaign of slander: A sustained effort to damage someone's reputation through false spoken statements.
  • The election was marred by a campaign of slander against both candidates.
• Actionable slander: Slander that is serious enough to provide grounds for a lawsuit.
  • Accusing a professional of fraud without proof is considered actionable slander.

Noun

1. an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
2. words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another

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