libel
- 01 C1 Advanced
n.a false written statement that is intended to damage a person's reputation.
n.a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation. Uncountable when referring to the legal concept or tort.
Simple“The politician sued the newspaper for libel after they printed the false story.”
In context“The jury awarded significant damages to the plaintiff, concluding that the magazine article constituted a clear case of libel.”
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun when referring to the area of law (e.g., 'an expert in libel').
PitfallHe was sued for libel because of what he said on the radio. He was sued for slander because of what he said on the radio.Libel refers to written or permanent defamation; slander refers to spoken or temporary defamation.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
v.to write or publish false things about someone to hurt their reputation.
v.to defame someone by publishing a libelous statement. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the person or entity defamed.
Simple“The actress claimed the tabloid had libeled her in their latest issue.”
In context“The court had to determine whether the blogger intended to libel the company or was simply expressing a protected opinion.”
UsageThe verb is transitive and typically takes a person or organization as its object.
SynonymsdefamemalignvilifyAntonymspraiseexonerate
From Middle English libel, from Old French libelle, from Latin libellus (“petition”, literally “booklet”). Doublet of libelle.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.