libel

noun

(countable) A written or pictorial false statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.

(uncountable) The act or tort of displaying such a statement publicly.

(countable) Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire.

(law, countable) A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of their cause of action, and of the relief they seek.

(countable) A brief writing of any kind, especially a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, etc.

verb

To defame (someone), especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel.

To proceed against (goods, a ship, etc.) by filing a legal claim.

Roots

liberlibel- · Latin · book

Synonyms for libel

defamationn slandern calumniationn traducementn calumnyn vilificationn calumniatev aspersionn aspersev denigrationn backbitev

Synonyms & related words for libel

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of libel — including defamation, slander, calumniation, traducement, calumny, vilification. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to libel

Explore words related to libel — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include libelist, libelee, libelant, libelous, libelously, defamatory, slanderous, defaming. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for libel

Common synonyms for libel include defamation, slander, calumniation, traducement, calumny, vilification, calumniate, aspersion — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does libel come from?

The word libel breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root libel-, from Latin liber (“book”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.