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View synonyms for

defame

[dih-feym]

verb (used with object)

defamed, defaming 
  1. to attack the good name or reputation of, as by uttering or publishing maliciously or falsely anything injurious; slander or libel; calumniate.

    The newspaper editorial defamed the politician.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , ,
  2. Archaic.to disgrace; bring dishonor upon.

  3. Archaic.to accuse.



defame

/ ɪˈڱɪ /

verb

  1. to attack the good name or reputation of; slander; libel

  2. archaicto indict or accuse

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • defamer noun
  • defamingly adverb
  • undefamed adjective
  • undefaming adjective
  • ˈڲ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of defame1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English defamen, from Anglo-French defamer or directly from Medieval Latin ŧ峾, variant of Medieval Latin, Latin 徱ڴ峾 ( ŧ- de- for dif-; compare Latin ŧ峾ٳܲ “infamous”) “to spread the news of, slander,” equivalent to dif- dif- + -峾 verbal derivative of “news, rumor, slander” ( fame ); replacing Middle English diffamen, from Anglo-French, Old French diffamer or directly from Medieval Latin, Latin, as above
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Word History and Origins

Origin of defame1

C14: from Old French defamer, from Latin ŧ峾, from 徱ڴ峾 to spread by unfavourable report, from fame
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Criticism of AI on the right ranges from relatively mundane concerns over AI’s potential ability to defame to warnings that AI has a role to play in the end times.

From

When Musk hops on Twitter to defame people with wild accusations, his fanboys thrill.

From

It will be for the 12-member jury to decide whether Mr Adams has been defamed.

From

"It was like having salt rubbed into our wounds. We had lost Iqbal and then the media defamed him. The dead can't defend themselves."

From

Mr Adams claims he was defamed in the Spotlight programme and an accompanying online article.

From

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defamatorydefamiliarization