libel in English

noun

1

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

The extent of publication is also very relevant: a libel published to millions has a greater potential to cause damage than a libel published to a handful of people.

synonyms: defamation, defamation of character, character assassination, calumny, misrepresentation, scandalmongering, aspersions, denigration, vilification, disparagement, derogation, insult, slander, malicious gossip, lie, slur, smear, untruth, false report, mudslinging, bad-mouthing

2

(in admiralty and ecclesiastical law) a plaintiff's written declaration.

The libel laws as they stand militate against doing this, because once a libel writ is issued by a complainant any apology is an admission of liability.

verb

1

defame (someone) by publishing a libel.

she alleged the magazine had libeled her

synonyms: defame, malign, slander, blacken someone's name, sully someone's reputation, speak ill/evil of, traduce, smear, cast aspersions on, drag someone's name through the mud, besmirch, tarnish, taint, tell lies about, stain, impugn someone's character/integrity, vilify, denigrate, disparage, run down, stigmatize, discredit, slur, dis, bad-mouth, derogate, calumniate

2

(in admiralty and ecclesiastical law) bring a suit against (someone).

noun

defamation, defamation of character, character assassination, calumny, misrepresentation, scandalmongering, aspersions, denigration, vilification, disparagement, derogation, insult, slander, malicious gossip, lie, slur, smear, untruth, false report, mudslinging, bad-mouthing

verb

defame, malign, slander, blacken someone's name, sully someone's reputation, speak ill/evil of, traduce, smear, cast aspersions on, drag someone's name through the mud, besmirch, tarnish, taint, tell lies about, stain, impugn someone's character/integrity, vilify, denigrate, disparage, run down, stigmatize, discredit, slur, dis, bad-mouth, derogate, calumniate

Use "libel" in a sentence

1. The paper got clobbered for libel.

2. A synonym for Blacken is libel.

3. He sued the newspaper for libel.

4. The jury awarded libel damages of ￡000.

5. What is that compared to a libel action?

6. She threatened to sue the magazine for libel.

7. Warren sued him for libel over the remarks.

8. We read about the suit for libel

9. He sued several of his Antagonists for libel.

10. 14 This photograph is a libel on him.

11. Mr Warren sued him for libel over the remarks.

12. The ruling set a precedent for future libel cases.

13. You can throw a libel action against The Paper.

14. Miss James could not afford to sue for libel.

15. Punitive damages in libel cases are a legal anomaly.

16. You withdraw your libel action against Lord Queensberry.

17. Parizeau and Bouchard initiated an action in libel.

18. You must vindicate yourself and fight this libel.

19. You run that, and I will sue you for libel.

20. Technicality Libel law has been allowed to become extremely complex.

21. To slander or libel: a reputation Bespattered by malicious gossip.

22. This is what made the Donovan libel action so daft.

23. 18 Courts in some states treat slander and libel differently.

24. ◦ b. the cause of action is libel or slander.

25. The sisters brought a libel action against the newspaper .

26. Canadian libel law is based on English common law.

27. The woman appeared before the judge on a charge of libel.

28. Grobbelaar later sued The Sun for libel and was awarded £85,000.

29. Excuse me for not wanting to be sued for libel, again.

30. 28 A countercharge of libel was made by the opposing counsel.

31. He sued for libel, but the case was eventually dismissed.

32. And announced that it will sue the plaintiffs for libel.

33. The paper got clobbered with libel damages of half a million pounds.

34. The defendants in the libel case maintain that their allegations are true.

35. If you attack him by innuendo, you will be sued for libel.

36. Although Tudor faced innumerable lawsuits for libel, he could not be silenced.

37. Rutherford, Brother Russell laid a criminal charge of defamatory libel against Ross.

38. The cost of defending the libel action almost bankrupted the small magazine.

39. Another word for Backbite: slander, abuse, knock, rubbish, libel Collins English Thesaurus

40. For years now, I am a victim of slander, libel and threats.

41. As a result of the fierce exchange, Robertson sued Campbell for libel.

42. He may even take legal action against those responsible for the libel.

43. 28 What constitutional considerations apply in cases of libel or slander?

44. Libel plaintiffs are virtually obliged to go into the witness box.

45. Wilkes was eventually arrested for seditious libel but he fled to France to escape punishment; he was expelled from the House of Commons, and found guilty in absentia of blasphemy and libel.

46. Seems impossible that Gannett's actions would ever meet the legal standards for libel.

47. His attempt to discredit his opponent boomeranged when he was charged with libel.

48. A libel action is being brought against the magazine that published the article.

49. The libel claim followed an article which insinuated that the President was lying.

50. She decided to sue for libel after the newspaper smeared her private life.