SLANDER Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'slander' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of slander are asperse , calumniate , defame , malign , traduce , and vilify . While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," slander stresses the suffering of the victim. // town gossips slandered their good name

Q: Where would 'asperse' be a reasonable alternative to 'slander'?

The synonyms asperse and slander are sometimes interchangeable, but asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction. // both candidates aspersed the other's motives

Q: When is 'calumniate' a more appropriate choice than 'slander'?

The words calumniate and slander can be used in similar contexts, but calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions. // falsely calumniated as a traitor

Q: When would 'defame' be a good substitute for 'slander'?

The words defame and slander are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name. // sued them for defaming her reputation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'malign' instead of 'slander'?

While the synonyms malign and slander are close in meaning, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying. // the most maligned monarch in British history

Q: In what contexts can 'traduce' take the place of 'slander'?

The meanings of traduce and slander largely overlap; however, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim. // so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

Q: When might 'vilify' be a better fit than 'slander'?

In some situations, the words vilify and slander are roughly equivalent. However, vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse. // no criminal was more vilified in the press

slander 1 of 2

noun

Definition of slander

as in libel

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation instead of resorting to slander, the candidates should be outlining their plans for getting us out of this mess

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slander

2 of 2

verb

ˈslan-dər

as in to libel

to make untrue and harmful statements about for some reason, that newspaper seems determined to slander one particular celebrity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb slander differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of slander are asperse, calumniate, defame, malign, traduce, and vilify. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

Where would asperse be a reasonable alternative to slander?

The synonyms asperse and slander are sometimes interchangeable, but asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

When is calumniate a more appropriate choice than slander?

The words calumniate and slander can be used in similar contexts, but calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

When would defame be a good substitute for slander?

The words defame and slander are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When is it sensible to use malign instead of slander?

While the synonyms malign and slander are close in meaning, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

In what contexts can traduce take the place of slander?

The meanings of traduce and slander largely overlap; however, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

When might vilify be a better fit than slander?

In some situations, the words vilify and slander are roughly equivalent. However, vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

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 slander

Noun

And always these massacres were preceded by vilification, by slanders. — CBS News, 10 May 2026 Online filings show Harry and his friend, Mark Dyer, a former trustee at the charity, are being sued for either libel or slander. — Brian Melley, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Verb

Dos Passos left Spain, but Hemingway didn’t let up, slandering him in print for a good while after. — Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 Now, the ultimate question of whether Walters slandered Miller will return to the district court. — Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slander

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slander

Noun

Top United Nations official Vanessa Frazier is facing a furious backlash after spreading a sick, fake-news blood libel against Israel on social media.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
The complaint stated that Meta has declined to file a libel or defamation claim against Wynn-Williams.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

Definition of libel

Verb

The restaurant sources its birotes from Duran’s to make the open-face, bean and cheese-smeared breakfast sandwiches popular throughout Mexico.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
That slows down the process of multiple shockwaves merging into larger ones and allows the atmosphere to weaken the smaller shockwaves to smear out the sharp pressure change into a more gradual increase.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2026

Definition of smear

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slams

slander

slandered

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“Slander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slander. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of slander

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Synonyms of slander

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verb

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