anti-SLAPP law

noun

an·​ti-SLAPP law ˌan-tē-ˈslap- How to pronounce anti-SLAPP law (audio)
ˌan-tī-
plural anti-SLAPP laws
: a law intended to prevent SLAPP suits
Ken Paulson, who directs the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University, said anti-SLAPP laws are like "free-speech insurance." "The key to an anti-SLAPP law is to prevent people with a lot of money and resources from intimidating people from saying anything negative about them," he said.—Kim Bellware
Netflix moved to dismiss the lawsuit under California's anti-SLAPP law, which allows for the early dismissal of lawsuits intended to chill free speech.—Winston Cho

Examples of anti-SLAPP law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even in states with anti-SLAPP laws, not every form of speech qualifies for protection. — Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 13 Apr. 2026 Thirty-eight states, plus the District of Columbia, now have anti-SLAPP laws in place. — Kathy Kiely, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2026 The judge, though, ruled that Figliuzzi was unable to recover attorneys fees and costs under Texas’ anti-SLAPP law. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026 But Texas’ anti-SLAPP law does not apply in federal court, so the judge rejected Figliuzzi’s request to make Patel cover his legal costs. — Chris Brennan, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anti-SLAPP law

Word History

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-SLAPP law was in 1991

Rhymes for anti-SLAPP law

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Browse Nearby Words

antiskinning
anti-SLAPP law
antislavery
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Cite this Entry

“Anti-SLAPP law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-SLAPP%20law. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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