Libel Definition, Examples & Legal Usage

Meaning 1：Defamatory statement (libel)

libel 🔊

/ˈlaɪbəl/

A published false statement that harms someone's reputation.

Angry person holding torn newspaper with false libelous headline about them

Defamatory statement 🔊

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/dɪˈfæməˌtɔri ˈsteɪtmənt/

A published false statement that damages someone's reputation, as opposed to slander which is spoken.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin libellus (little book), referring to defamatory pamphlets.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a liar (lib) writing a letter (bel) full of falsehoods to ruin someone's reputation.

📖 Example

The celebrity decided to sue the magazine for libel after it printed a completely fabricated story about him. 🔊 The celebrity decided to sue the magazine for libel after it printed a completely fabricated story about him.

🔗 Collocations

libel suit – a legal lawsuit for libel

libel law – the area of law dealing with libel

libel case – a court case involving libel

🔄 Synonyms

slander (n.) – spoken false statement harming reputation

defamation (n.) – the act of harming reputation through false statements

calumny (n.) – false and malicious statement

🚫 Antonyms

praise (n.) – expression of approval

compliment (n.) – a polite expression of praise

endorsement (n.) – formal support or approval

🌱 Derivatives

libeler (n.) – a person who commits libel

libelous (adj.) – containing or constituting libel

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin libellus 'small book', used for defamatory pamphlets in ancient Rome. Now means published false statement harming reputation, distinct from spoken slander.