libel
noun
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Definition of libel
(Entry 1 of 2)
libel
verb
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Definition of libel (Entry 2 of 2)
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Other Words from libel
Verb
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noun
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noun
Synonyms for libel
Synonyms: Noun
aspersing, blackening, calumniation, calumny, character assassination, defamation, defaming, libeling (or libelling), maligning, slander, smearing, traducing, vilification, vilifying
Synonyms: Verb
asperse, blacken, calumniate, defame, malign, slander, smear, traduce, vilify
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Examples of libel in a Sentence
Noun
To meet the Supreme Court's definition of libel involving a public figure, a quotation must not only be made up or materially altered. It must also defame the person quoted, and damage his or her reputation or livelihood … — Jane Gross, New York Times, 5 June 1993 It is relevant to note that in 1987 the suit against Ms. Malcolm was dismissed … in a narrow ruling that stated that even if the quotations were "false and mischievous," Ms. Malcolm's alterations did not represent malicious intent and therefore did not constitute libel. — Fred W. Friendly, New York Times Book Review, 25 Feb. 1990 The above is not only a flat lie but a political libel which may possibly damage me. Publish it at your peril … — Bernard Shaw, letter, 16 Sept. 1949 In their tiresome addiction to this use of alleged, the newspapers, though having mainly in mind the danger of libel suits, can urge in further justification the lack of any other single word that exactly expresses their meaning; but the fact that a mud-puddle supplies the shortest route is not a compelling reason for walking through it. — Ambrose Bierce, Write It Right, 1909 He sued the newspaper for libel. The newspaper was found guilty of libel. The newspaper's attorneys argued that the article was not a libel.Verb
And in Oklahoma last year, lawyers filed a class-action suit against a group supporting tort reform, saying they had libeled trial lawyers. — Judith Miller, New York Times, 11 June 1996 Government officials, he observed, were public servants who remained accountable to the people and therefore could not be libeled for their performance in office. — Leonard W. Levy, Emergence of a Free Press, 1985 The jury found that the article libeled him. the court decided that the newspaper's reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
However, the article was published by Rappler two years before the new cyber libel laws came into effect in the Philippines. — Richard Roth, CNN, "Amal Clooney will represent Philippines journalist Maria Ressa," 8 July 2019 That was retweeted three times and liked nine times — and, of course, ignored by NARAL, which has declined to retract its libel or correct itself. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "Among the Chimps," 28 July 2019 Ressa, the editor of influential news site Rappler, was arrested for cyber libel in February but later released on bail. — Julia Webster, Time, "Libel Trial Opens Of Maria Ressa, Philippine Journalist Critical of President Duterte," 23 July 2019 Also in February, Thomas took aim at the court’s most significant libel ruling, New York Times vs. Sullivan. — Bob Egelko, SFChronicle.com, "Supreme Court Justice Thomas the leading edge of conservative wing," 21 July 2019 They were sued for alleged sedition, inciting to sedition, libel, harboring a criminal, obstruction of justice, a justice department statement said. — Jim Gomez, BostonGlobe.com, "Philippine police file sedition case against vice president," 18 July 2019 Academic freedom is not a blanket freedom from libel. — Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "Oberlin’s $44 Million Mistake," 26 June 2019 Allegations in the lawsuit include libel, slander, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress and seek double or triple damages on claims the plaintiffs violated California labor and human trafficking laws. — Alex Johnson, NBC News, "Ex-Scientology member sues church and its leader alleging abuse, human trafficking," 20 June 2019 James then had the bishops arrested and charged with seditious libel. — Declan Leary, National Review, "Conservatives Should Not Celebrate Religious Tyranny and Coercion," 19 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Instead, the jury unanimously determined that Oberlin College libeled the Gibsons. — Brian Pascus, CBS News, "Oberlin College president Carmen Twillie Ambar on the $44 million ruling against the school," 27 June 2019 According to the Chronicle-Telegram, the court found that the college had libeled the bakery and its owners, in addition to inflicting emotional distress on the owners. — Washington Post, "Protests at Oberlin labeled a bakery racist. Now, the college will pay $11 million for libel.," 10 June 2019 By Holly Yan and Hollie Silverman | CNN An Ohio jury has ordered Oberlin College to pay $11 million to a bakery which said it was libeled and wrongfully accused of racially profiling students. — Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "Ohio bakery awarded $11 million in libel lawsuit against Oberlin College over alleged racial profiling," 10 June 2019 Actor James Woods thinks the trooper should sue anyone who libeled him while perpetuating the lie and media analyst Mark Dice agrees. — Brian Flood, Fox News, "Shaun King slammed for pushing woman's now-discredited claim trooper sexually assaulted her," 25 May 2018 The virtues of a free press come under attack in another scene, in which a woman dumps a bucket of excrement over the head of a local official, claiming that she has been libeled by a local newspaper. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "Russian drama takes the stage at Cannes in the sweet 'Leto' and the scathing 'Donbass'," 11 May 2018 The two ultimately went to trial because Irving felt libeled that Lipstadt called him a Holocaust denier in her book. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Women Don't Owe Men a Debate About Feminism," 20 Mar. 2018 The attorney said the website libels Sibley, interferes with the recruitment of businesses and new residents, and negatively affects property rights. — USA TODAY, "Iowa man who complained about town’s ‘stench’ sues after city officials threaten to sue him," 8 Mar. 2018 Just as the First Amendment’s protects free speech, but doesn’t give a license to people to libel others. — Andrés Oppenheimer, miamiherald, "Kudos to Gables’ Mayor Valdes-Fauli for proposing a ban on semi-automatic weapons | Miami Herald," 26 Feb. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'libel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.