English Explanatory Dictionary

defame

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.
  2. To charge; to accuse (someone) of an offence.
  3. To harm or diminish the reputation of; to disparage.
noun
  1. Disgrace, dishonour.
  2. Defamation; slander, libel.
adj
  1. Synonym of defamed.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈfeɪm/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-defame.wav

Word forms

defame defames defaming defamed

Etymology

From Middle English defamen, from Anglo-Norman defamer (verb), defame (noun), and its source, Latin diffāmō, from fāma (“fame; rumour; reputation”).

Synonyms

assassinate asperse backbite badmouth befoul belibel besmirch besmear bewray blacken blame blaze blemish blot blur calumniate calumny chat shit chat shite cloud defame demonize denigrate deprave depreciate detract dirty discredit disgrace disparage disrepute diss drag through the mud forgab forspeak foul infamize lampoon libel malign monsterize muddy reproach revile scandal shit-talk slag slander smear smirch spatter spot speak ill of stab stain sully talk shit talk shite talk trash tarnish

Antonyms

flatter praise stand up for

Related words

defamatory defamation deride shame tattle

Derived words

defamingly defamous undefamed
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
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