English Explanatory Dictionary

libel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A written or pictorial false statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.
  2. The act or tort of displaying such a statement publicly.
  3. Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire.
  4. A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of their cause of action, and of the relief they seek.
  5. A brief writing of any kind, especially a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, etc.
verb
  1. To defame (someone), especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel.
  2. To proceed against (goods, a ship, etc.) by filing a legal claim.

Pronunciation

līʹbəl /ˈlaɪbəl/ En-us-libel.ogg

Word forms

libel libels libeling libelling libeled libelled

Etymology

From Middle English libel, from Old French libelle, from Latin libellus (“petition”, literally “booklet”). Doublet of libelle.

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

Related words

libel chill libel tourism defamation

Derived words

antilibel libellize libelous libellous belibel libelant libelee libeler libeller libelist libellist unlibelled
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