slanderous
/'slɑ:ndərəs/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign: Describes a statement, remark, or accusation that is false and damaging to a person's reputation.
Usage
- The adjective slanderous is used to characterize speech or written statements that are defamatory. It implies the communication is not only false but also malicious in intent, aiming to harm someone's good name.
- It is typically used in formal or legal contexts concerning defamation (slander refers to spoken defamation, libel to written). However, in general use, it can describe any harmful false statement.
Examples
- The newspaper issued an apology for publishing the slanderous article about the mayor.
- She threatened to sue her former colleague for making slanderous comments during the meeting.
- The politician dismissed the allegations as completely slanderous and without evidence.
Advanced Usage
- "to be slanderous of/against someone": To constitute slander targeting a specific person.
- The blog post was found to be slanderous of the company's CEO.
- Used in legal phrasing:
- The plaintiff must prove the statement was both false and slanderous.
Variants and Related Words
- Slander (n/v): The act or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
- He was accused of slander.
- Slanderer (n): A person who slanders.
- The slanderer was ordered to pay damages.
- Slanderously (adv): In a slanderous manner.
- He claimed his words were being interpreted slanderously.
Synonyms
- Defamatory: Damaging the good reputation of someone.
- Libelous (specifically for written statements): Defamatory in a permanent form like writing.
- Malicious: Intending to do harm.
- Calumnious: Making false and defamatory statements about someone.
Antonyms
- Complimentary: Expressing praise or admiration.
- Flattering: Full of praise and compliments.
- Truthful: Telling or expressing the truth.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "Throw slanderous accusations": To make damaging false claims recklessly.
- During the debate, candidates began to throw slanderous accusations at each other.
- "Victim of slanderous gossip": Someone whose reputation has been harmed by false rumors.
- She felt like a victim of slanderous gossip in the small town.
Adjective
-
(used of statements) harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign
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