as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the governor's office issued a statement accusing the state's largest newspaper of libel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to smear
to make untrue and harmful statements about
the court decided that the newspaper's reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of libel
Michael Holden, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
The country also still lacks a freedom of information act, and libel remains a criminal offense.
—Ashish Valentine, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
—Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for libel
Noun
Harry has twice sued Associated Newspapers for libel, winning one case and withdrawing the other, while his wife Meghan has also won a privacy lawsuit against the publisher.
—Michael Holden, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
The country also still lacks a freedom of information act, and libel remains a criminal offense.
—Ashish Valentine, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
Please ask your daughter to stop libeling Miss Manners.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
—Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for libel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel
Noun
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In denying Bressington’s application, Judge William Alsup noted that the guitarist’s lawyers hedged on filing a defamation lawsuit.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
5 Jan. 2026
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The Macrons have also filed a defamation suit in the United States against conservative influencer Candace Owens.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The vacuum cleaner has powerful suction, and the mop cleans without sloshing and smearing water on the floor.—
Terri Williams,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 2025
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Trudeau wrapped his other arm around Hadrien, who had smeared fake blood on the side of his face.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Jerry Jones slandered my name to Cowboys media and national media for months.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
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Dos Passos left Spain, but Hemingway didn’t let up, slandering him in print for a good while after.—
Vince Passaro,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The Boston City Council will start off the new year with a new president and a fresh face to replace disgraced former Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
30 Dec. 2025
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In October, King Charles, 77, took the unprecedented step of stripping Andrew's princely style, titles and honors amid a resurgence of interest in Andrew's links to the late, disgraced Epstein.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Among election delusion peddlers, Oltmann has distinguished himself by calling for violence and defaming innocent people.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
31 Dec. 2025
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Despite his prolific acting career, Bakri’s documentary Jenin, Jenin was perhaps his highest profile project internationally, in part because of accusations that the film defamed Israeli soldiers.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In this case, focusing on a dress versus the altruistic work Turner is doing feels like an attempt to discredit that very noble work.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Jan. 2026
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Continue reading … ‘COMPLETELY FAILED’ – CNN mocked for ‘effort to discredit’ Minnesota daycare fraud reporting.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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