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slander

verb
slan·​der | \ ˈslan-dər How to pronounce slander (audio) \
slandered; slandering\ ˈslan-​d(ə-​)riŋ How to pronounce slandering (audio) \

Definition of slander

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to utter slander against : defame

slander

noun

Definition of slander (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation
2 : a false and defamatory oral statement about a person — compare libel
Other Words from slander Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about slander

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Other Words from slander

Verb

slanderer \ ˈslan-​dər-​ər How to pronounce slanderer (audio) \ noun

Noun

slanderous \ ˈslan-​d(ə-​)rəs How to pronounce slanderous (audio) \ adjective
slanderously adverb
slanderousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for slander

Verb

malign, traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame, slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying. the most maligned monarch in British history traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim. so traduced the governor that he was driven from office asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction. both candidates aspersed the other's motives vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse. no criminal was more vilified in the press calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions. falsely calumniated as a traitor defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name. sued them for defaming her reputation slander stresses the suffering of the victim. town gossips slandered their good name

Examples of slander in a Sentence

Verb

 She was accused of slandering her former boss.

Noun

 She is being sued for slander.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 Also outstanding is a scroll illustrating the legends of the Kitano Tenjin Shrine, a site dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a famous poet, scholar and statesman who was slandered and exiled from the 10th-century imperial court. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Only one more week to seek outstanding second rotation of Japanese artworks in CMA’s big Shinto exhibition," 23 June 2019 Before his sentencing, the former Virginia resident publicly apologized for slandering North Korea’s leadership, collecting and passing confidential information to South Korea, and joining a smear campaign against the North’s human rights situation. — Washington Post, "A look at the 3 Americans released by North Korea," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slander.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of slander

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for slander

Noun

Middle English sclaundre, slaundre, from Anglo-French esclandre, alteration of escandle, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense — more at scandal

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