verb
defame
dih-FAYM/dɪˈfeɪm/
Damage people's reputations by making false statements about them.
The woman defames her neighbor by falsely accusing her of stealing the necklace.
Etymology
The prefix probably suggests ruination through a report or rumor. The resulting verb meant spreading an ill report or making a scandal of someone—the connection to damaging a reputation.
In context
you know what shame on him this is a stain on his legacy to go after a woman and try to use rape as a political advantage in trying to defame the president
More examples
- The article defamed the doctor with invented claims of misconduct.
- Criticizing a person's work is not the same as defaming that person.
- They spread lies about the owner to defame his business.
Forms
defame · defames · defamed · defaming
defamation noun — Damage to reputation through false statements.
defamatory adjective — Containing false statements that damage reputations.