LIBEL Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

libel 1 of 2

noun

ˈlī-bəl

Definition of libel

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

libel

2 of 2

verb

ˈlī-bəl

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

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of libel

Noun

The Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause generally protects speech on the House floor from libel laws. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 His political career, which included a spell as the Conservative Party’s deputy chairman, was interrupted by a period in prison in 2001 after he was found guilty of lying and cheating in a 1987 libel case against The Daily Star newspaper. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Verb

In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025 As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized. — George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for libel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel

Noun

The classmate, Joleene Altum, sued Griffin for emotional distress and invasion of privacy, and Griffin countersued for defamation in a bitter, ongoing legal battle.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Allen denied both women's allegations and filed counterclaims against them in July 2023, accusing his former manager of defamation and other claims and accusing Jane Doe 2 of unlawfully taking his cellphone following their encounter.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of defamation

Verb

None of this excuses Chris’ malicious behavior, not just toward Carrie but toward her future stepsister, Brooklyn (Rowan Danielle), and the school as a whole, mostly via a fake Instagram account devoted to smearing students and faculty alike.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
Her makeup, crafted by Diana Shin, was equally as striking and overtly feminine, featuring pink shadow smeared in her crease, shimmer on her lids, falsies glued to her top lash line and burgundy lip liner accenting her lips.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of smear

Verb

Yet what follows is an extended list of ethical sins, with a focus on the sins of abusive speech, such as slandering, slurring, slighting and smearing the reputations of others.

— Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
Her attorneys allege that Morris conspired with Gateway leaders to slander and defame Clemishire in order to protect himself and his organization.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of slander

Verb

But for audiences outside North America, catching Nathan Fielder’s three-hour documentary about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes — now expected to be a major player in awards season — has become a frustrating waiting game.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim‘s documentary about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes widens to 2,600 theaters domestically on Friday for its sophomore frame.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of disgrace

Verb

But earlier this year, a judge rejected Combs’ claim that he was defamed, noting in a 12-page decision that the documentary makers did not act irresponsibly or defame him.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
Prime Minister Netanyahu has threatened to pass a law that could revoke the citizenship of Abraham, Szor or anyone who allegedly defames Israeli soldiers.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of defame

Verb

There are growing concerns from Congress and observers that the election will take place in a hostile environment and efforts to discredit and undermine the election are already underway.

— Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The few instances of panic were magnified by newspapers eager to discredit the new medium of radio.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of discredit

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libations

libel

libeled

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“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of libel

noun

verb

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