説明中心

defame

[dɪˈfeɪm]

defame Definition

to damage the reputation, character, or good name of someone by slander or libel.

Using defame: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "defame" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    He was defamed by the tabloids.

  • Example

    The article defamed her reputation.

  • Example

    The company was accused of defaming its competitors.

  • Example

    She sued him for defaming her character.

defame Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for defame

Idioms Using defame

  • to cause someone to have a poor reputation

    Example

    Don't defame your colleagues or you'll give yourself a bad name.

  • drag someone's name through the mud

    to harm someone's reputation by spreading negative information about them

    Example

    The media has been dragging his name through the mud ever since the scandal broke out.

  • to make false accusations or insults about someone in order to damage their reputation

    Example

    He's been throwing mud at his opponent during the entire campaign.

Phrases with defame

  • the act of harming someone's reputation by making false statements about them

    Example

    She filed a lawsuit against him for defamation of character.

  • a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation

    Example

    The newspaper was sued for libel after publishing false information about the politician.

  • the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation

    Example

    She was accused of slander after spreading rumors about her coworker.

Origins of defame

from Old French 'diffamer', from Latin 'diffamare', meaning 'to spread abroad by ill report'

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Summary: defame in Brief

'Defame' [dɪˈfeɪm] means to harm someone's reputation, character, or good name by making false statements about them. It is often associated with slander and libel, which are written and spoken forms of defamation. Examples include 'He was defamed by the tabloids' and 'She sued him for defaming her character.' Idioms like 'drag someone's name through the mud' and 'throw mud at someone' describe the act of spreading negative information to harm someone's reputation.