Libel

/ˈlaɪ.bəl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.

The newspaper published a libel about the politician that ruined his career.

A written statement in a court of law that starts a legal action.

The plaintiff filed a libel against the defendant for the defamatory article.

verb

To publish a libel against someone; to defame them in writing.

The article continued to libel the celebrity, forcing her to consider legal action.

To file a lawsuit based on the grounds of libel.

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.

To smear someone's name publicly.

The tabloid really libeled her after the breakup.

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

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