defame (C2)
verb
Pronunciation: /dɪˈfeɪm/
Definition
Damage the good reputation of someone, especially by speaking or writing lies about them.
Examples
She claimed the magazine attempted to defame her character with baseless accusations.
The company was sued for defaming a former employee in a public statement.
It is illegal to knowingly defame a private citizen in this jurisdiction.
How to Use defame
- defame someone (collocation)
- The standard transitive use of the verb. — "The article was clearly written to defame the senator."
- be defamed by (collocation)
- The passive voice construction used to describe the victim. — "He felt he had been defamed by the false rumors circulating online."
Synonyms of defame
Words with a similar meaning to defame:
Antonyms of defame
Words with the opposite meaning to defame:
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