libels 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 "libels" in a sentence

1. But what constituted "blasphemous, immoral, treasonable, schismatic, seditious or scandalous libels"?

2. Synonyms for Asperses include vilifies, disparages, maligns, defames, slanders, slurs, traduces, calumniates, smears and libels

3. Synonyms for Backbites include detracts, knocks, libels, rubbishes, abuses, calumniates, defames, denigrates, disparages and maligns

4. Record Of The Buddhistic Kingdoms: Translated From The Chinese By Herbert A, Observations On The Rights And Duty Of Juries, In Trials For Libels: Together With Remarks On The Origin And Nature Of The Law Of Libels

5. However, all freedoms have outer limits where their use puts others at risk or unfairly libels them

6. The Libellants and Claimants of the Schooner Amistad, her tackle, apparel and furniture, together with her cargo, and the Africans mentioned and described in the several libels and claims, Appellees