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Slander Meaning: Definition, Examples & Legal Use (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：false oral defamation (slander)
slander
/ˈslændər/
n./vt.
When someone says something false about another person that hurts their reputation, and they say it out loud to other people.
false oral defamation
➕
/fɔːls ˈɔːrəl ˌdefəˈmeɪʃən/
n./vt.
The act of making a false spoken statement that damages another person's reputation, considered a civil wrong or tort.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'scandalum' (stumbling block), via Old French 'esclandre', meaning a false spoken statement that harms reputation.
💡 Mnemonic
S-L-A-N-D-E-R: Say Lies And Nasty words, Damaging Everyone's Reputation.
📖 Example
The celebrity sued the reporter for slander after he falsely claimed she had quit the film project.
The celebrity sued the reporter for slander after he falsely claimed she had quit the film project.
🔗 Collocations
accuse of slander – To claim someone has committed slander
slander lawsuit – A legal case based on slander
commit slander – To perform an act of slander
🔄 Synonyms
defamation (n.) – The act of damaging someone's reputation by making false statements, often including both spoken and written forms.
calumny (n.) – A false statement made deliberately to harm someone's reputation, often with malicious intent.
vilification (n.) – The act of speaking abusively or defamatorily about someone, often with strong negative language.
🚫 Antonyms
praise (n.) – Expressing warm approval or admiration for someone, opposite of slander.
commendation (n.) – Formal praise or recommendation, which builds reputation rather than harms it.
accolade (n.) – An award or privilege granted as a special honor or mark of recognition, opposite of defamation.
🌱 Derivatives
slanderous (adj.) – Containing or involving slander; defamatory.
slanderer (n.) – A person who speaks slander about someone.
slanderously (adv.) – In a manner that constitutes slander.
📖 Cultural Story
In English law, 'slander' specifically refers to oral defamation, distinguishing it from 'libel' (written). Historically rooted in religious and legal contexts, it remains a key term in defamation lawsuits today.
Meaning 2：defame orally (slander)
slander
/ˈslændər/
n./vt.
To say false and damaging things about someone.
defame orally
➕
/dɪˈfeɪm ˈɔːrəli/
n./vt.
To speak falsely about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation; to utter defamatory statements about them.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The online blogger had to publicly apologize after he was caught slandering a rival company's products without any proof.
The online blogger had to publicly apologize after he was caught slandering a rival company's products without any proof.
🔗 Collocations
slander someone publicly – To make defamatory statements about someone in a public setting
slander a competitor – To speak falsely about a business rival to harm their reputation
try to slander – To attempt to damage someone's reputation through false spoken words
🔄 Synonyms
defame (v.) – To harm someone's reputation by making false statements, either spoken or written.
malign (v.) – To speak about someone in a spiteful or critical way, often with false or misleading information.
vilify (v.) – To speak or write about someone in an abusively disparaging manner, with the intent to damage their reputation.
🚫 Antonyms
praise (v.) – To express warm approval or admiration for someone, the opposite of slandering.
compliment (v.) – To politely or respectfully praise someone, often in a way that builds their reputation.
laud (v.) – To praise someone highly, especially in a public or formal manner.
🌱 Derivatives
slanderer (n.) – A person who slanders others.
slandering (adj.) – Engaged in the act of slander.
slandered (adj.) – Having been harmed by slander.
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