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defame

verb [T]
 
 
/dɪˈfeɪm/ formal

Definition

to damage the reputation of a person or group by saying or writing bad things about them that are not true: Mr Turnock claimed the editorial had defamed him. → Compare libel, slander nounDamaging reputationDisapproving and criticizing defamation
 
 
/ˌdef.əˈmeɪ.ʃən/ noun [U]
He is suing for defamation of character.Damaging reputationDisapproving and criticizing
defamatory
 
 
/dɪˈfæm.ə.tər.i/ US  /-tɔːr-/ adjective
He claims the remarks were highly defamatory.Damaging reputationDisapproving and criticizing
(Definition of defame verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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