# defamatory

/dɪˈfæməˌtɔɹi/ (US) · /dɪfˈæmətəɹˌi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/defamatory
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

describing a statement that is meant to harm someone's reputation. If you say something that makes people think badly of a person or business, it is defamatory.

For teachers: intended to injure the reputation of another by exposing them to hatred, contempt, or ridicule. Often used in legal contexts to describe statements that may constitute a civil wrong.

## Examples

- The newspaper published a defamatory article about the politician.
- The company sued the former employee for making defamatory remarks about their leadership during a public interview.
- The court ruled that the social media posts were defamatory, noting that the specific allegations were false and likely to cause significant financial harm to the plaintiff's business.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.