Slander

SLANDER

1 of 2

verb

slan·der ˈslan-dər

slandered; slandering ˈslan-d(ə-)riŋ

transitive verb

: to utter slander against : DEFAME

slanderer

ˈslan-dər-ər

noun

slander

2 of 2

noun

: the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation

: a false and defamatory oral statement about a person

compare LIBEL

slanderous

ˈslan-d(ə-)rəs

adjective

slanderously adverb

slanderousness noun

Synonyms

Verb

asperse

blacken

calumniate

defame

libel

malign

smear

traduce

vilify

Noun

aspersing

blackening

calumniation

calumny

character assassination

defamation

defaming

libel

libeling

libelling

maligning

smearing

traducing

vilification

vilifying

Choose the Right Synonym for slander

MALIGN, TRADUCE, ASPERSE, VILIFY, CALUMNIATE, DEFAME, SLANDER mean to injure by speaking ill of.

MALIGN suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

TRADUCE stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

ASPERSE implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

VILIFY implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

CALUMNIATE imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

DEFAME stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

SLANDER stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

Example Sentences

Verb

She was accused of slandering her former boss.

Noun

She is being sued for slander.

He was a target of slander.

We've heard countless unsupported slanders about her.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

So what do current Bachelorettes Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey think about all this Cary Fetman slander?

Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2022

Reddit can slander my name but when the truth comes out…..

Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 19 July 2022

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slander.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sclaundre, slaundre, from Anglo-French esclandre, alteration of escandle, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense — more at SCANDAL entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of slander was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

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Dictionary Entries Near slander

SL and C

slander

slanderful

Cite this Entry

Style

MLA

“Slander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slander. Accessed 19 Nov. 2022.

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Kids Definition

slander 1 of 2

noun

slan·der ˈslan-dər

: the making of false statements that damage another's reputation

: a false and harmful oral statement about a person

slanderous

-d(ə-)rəs

adjective

slanderously adverb

slander

2 of 2

verb

slandered; slandering -d(ə-)riŋ

: to utter slander against : DEFAME

slanderer

-dər-ər

noun

Legal Definition

slander 1 of 2

transitive verb

slan·der ˈslan-dər

: to utter slander against

slanderer noun

slander

2 of 2

noun

: defamation of a person by unprivileged oral communication made to a third party

also : defamatory oral statements

: the tort of oral defamation

sued his former employer for slander

compare DEFAMATION, FALSE LIGHT, LIBEL

NOTE: An action for slander may be brought without alleging and proving special damages if the statements in question have a plainly harmful character, as by imputing to the plaintiff criminal guilt, serious sexual misconduct, or conduct or a characteristic affecting his or her business or profession.

slanderous

ˈslan-də-rəs

adjective

slanderously adverb

slanderousness noun

History and Etymology for slander

Noun

Anglo-French esclandre, from Old French escandle esclandre scandal, from Late Latin scandalum moral stumbling block, disgrace, from Greek skandalon, literally, snare, trap