What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
slander
Example
She was accused of slandering her boss by spreading false rumors about him. [slandered: past tense]
Example
He filed a lawsuit against the newspaper for slander, claiming they printed false information about him. [slander: noun]
defame
Example
The company was sued for defaming its former employee by falsely accusing him of theft. [defamed: past tense]
Example
She was worried that the article would defame her character and ruin her career. [defame: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Slander is more commonly used in everyday language, while defame is more formal and legalistic.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between slander and defame?
Defame is more formal and legalistic than slander, making it more appropriate for use in professional or legal contexts.
