SLANDER Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'slander' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of slander are asperse , calumniate , defame , malign , traduce , and vilify . While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," slander stresses the suffering of the victim. // town gossips slandered their good name

Q: Where would 'asperse' be a reasonable alternative to 'slander'?

The synonyms asperse and slander are sometimes interchangeable, but asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction. // both candidates aspersed the other's motives

Q: When is 'calumniate' a more appropriate choice than 'slander'?

The words calumniate and slander can be used in similar contexts, but calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions. // falsely calumniated as a traitor

Q: When would 'defame' be a good substitute for 'slander'?

The words defame and slander are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name. // sued them for defaming her reputation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'malign' instead of 'slander'?

While the synonyms malign and slander are close in meaning, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying. // the most maligned monarch in British history

Q: In what contexts can 'traduce' take the place of 'slander'?

The meanings of traduce and slander largely overlap; however, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim. // so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

Q: When might 'vilify' be a better fit than 'slander'?

In some situations, the words vilify and slander are roughly equivalent. However, vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse. // no criminal was more vilified in the press

slander 1 of 2

noun

Definition of slander next

as in libel

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation instead of resorting to slander, the candidates should be outlining their plans for getting us out of this mess

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slander

2 of 2

verb

ˈslan-dər

as in to libel

to make untrue and harmful statements about for some reason, that newspaper seems determined to slander one particular celebrity

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How does the verb slander differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of slander are asperse, calumniate, defame, malign, traduce, and vilify. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

Where would asperse be a reasonable alternative to slander?

The synonyms asperse and slander are sometimes interchangeable, but asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

When is calumniate a more appropriate choice than slander?

The words calumniate and slander can be used in similar contexts, but calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

When would defame be a good substitute for slander?

The words defame and slander are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When is it sensible to use malign instead of slander?

While the synonyms malign and slander are close in meaning, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

In what contexts can traduce take the place of slander?

The meanings of traduce and slander largely overlap; however, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

When might vilify be a better fit than slander?

In some situations, the words vilify and slander are roughly equivalent. However, vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of slander

Noun

Melissa Gilbert will not stand for any Little House on the Prairie slander. —

Julia Moore, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025 And so instead of going quietly, the Andersons decided to sue to get back in, claiming breach of contract and slander. —

Justine Harman, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025

Verb

In light of her work, Hickson has been slandered as a pedophile. —

Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025 Knox was convicted of slandering her former boss Patrick Lumumba by falsely accusing him of Kercher’s murder. —

Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slander

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slander

Noun

What To Know The lawsuit filed Friday accuses the Associated Press of defamation and libel.

— David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Supreme Court rejects Steve Wynn appeal The Supreme Court has turned back an appeal from casino mogul Steve Wynn, who had challenged a landmark libel ruling as part of a lawsuit against The Associated Press.

— Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 25 Mar. 2025

Definition of libel

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slams

slander

slandered

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“Slander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slander. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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Last Updated: 20 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of slander

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