Meaning & Definition of word "Libel"

Libel

/ˈlaɪ.bəl/

1. A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.
- Example: The newspaper published a libel about the politician that ruined his career.
2. A written statement in a court of law that starts a legal action.
- Example: The plaintiff filed a libel against the defendant for the defamatory article.

1. To publish a libel against someone; to defame them in writing.
- Example: The article continued to libel the celebrity, forcing her to consider legal action.
2. To file a lawsuit based on the grounds of libel.
- Example: He decided to libel the author for the inaccuracies in her book about him.

Middle English, from Latin 'libellus', a diminutive of 'liber' meaning 'book'.

libel lawsuit:

A legal case in which one party claims their reputation has been harmed by the false statements of another.

liable for libel:

Legally responsible for making defamatory statements published to a third party.

damage to reputation:

The harm caused to someone's good name due to false information.

defamation:

The act of damaging the good reputation of someone.

slander:

The action or crime of making a false spoken statement to damage someone's reputation.

Meaning: To smear someone's name publicly.

Example Sentence: The tabloid really libeled her after the breakup.

Meaning: To spread rumors that can harm a person's reputation.

Example Sentence: He was worried that his ex-friend would libel him online.