Meaning & Definition of word "Libelous"

Libelous

/ˈlaɪ.bəl.əs/

adjective:

  • 1. Containing or constituting a libel; defamatory.
    • Example: The newspaper published a libelous article that falsely accused the politician of corruption.
  • 2. Tending to damage someone's reputation through false statements.
    • Example: Her libelous comments about her coworker led to a lawsuit.
  • 3. Involving or characterized by libel.
    • Example: The company had to retract its libelous claims against the competitor to avoid legal action.

Etymology

From libel + -ous.

Common Phrases and Expressions

libelous comments:

Statements that are false and damaging to someone's reputation.

libelous material:

Content that is defamatory and authored in writing.

libelous statement:

A written assertion that is untrue and harms an individual's reputation.

Related Words

libel:

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

defamation:

The action of damaging the good reputation of someone; slander or libel.

slander:

The action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.

Slang Meanings of libelous

Meaning: to trash talk someone in a written format

Example Sentence: He posted a libelous tweet about his ex.

Meaning: spreading harmful gossip in print

Example Sentence: The tabloid's libelous articles of celebrities went too far.