What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
libeling
Example
The newspaper was sued for libeling the politician. [libeling: verb]
Example
She accused him of libeling her in his article. [libeling: gerund or present participle]
defamation
Example
He was found guilty of defamation for spreading false rumors about his coworker. [defamation: noun]
Example
The actress sued the magazine for defamation after they published false information about her. [defamation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Defamation is more commonly used than libeling in everyday language. Defamation is a broader term that covers a wider range of contexts, while libeling is a more specific term that is limited to written statements.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between libeling and defamation?
Both libeling and defamation are formal terms that are typically used in legal contexts.
