Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense libels, present participle libelling, past tense, past participle libelledregional note: in AM, use libeling, libeled
1. variable noun
Libel is a written statement which wrongly accuses someone of something, and which is therefore against the law. Compare slander.
[law]
Warren sued him for libel over the remarks.
If the jury decided there was a libel, it would have to consider its effect on MissSmith's position.
...a libel action against the paper.
Synonyms: defamation, slander, misrepresentation, denigration More Synonyms of libel
2. verb
To libel someone means to write or print something in a book, newspaper, or magazine which wrongly damages that person's reputation and is therefore against the law.
[law]
The newspaper which libelled him had already offered compensation. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: defame, smear, slur, blacken More Synonyms of libel
libel in British English
(ˈlaɪbəl)
noun
1. law
a.
the publication of defamatory matter in permanent form, as by a written or printed statement, picture, etc
b.
the act of publishing such matter
2.
any defamatory or unflattering representation or statement
3. ecclesiastical law
a claimant's written statement of claim
4. Scots law
the formal statement of a charge
verbWord forms: -bels, -belling, -belledWord forms: US-bels, -beling or -beled(transitive)
5. law
to make or publish a defamatory statement or representation about (a person)
6.
to misrepresent injuriously
7. ecclesiastical law
to bring an action against (a person) in the ecclesiastical courts
Derived forms
libeller (ˈlibeller) or libelist (ˈlibelist)
noun
libellous (ˈlibellous) or libelous (ˈlibelous)
adjective
Word origin
C13 (in the sense: written statement), hence C14 legal sense: a plaintiff's statement,via Old French from Latin libellus a little book, from liber a book
libel in American English
(ˈlaɪbəl)
noun
1.
any false and malicious written or printed statement, or any sign, picture, or effigy, tending to expose a person to public ridicule, hatred, or contempt or to injure a person's reputation in any way
2.
the act of publishing or displaying publicly such a thing
3.
anything that gives an unflattering or damaging picture of the subject with whichit is dealing
4.
in ecclesiastical law and formerly in maritime law, a written statement containing the plaintiff's grievances; initial pleading
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈlibeled or ˈlibelled, ˈlibeling or ˈlibelling
5.
to publish or make a libel against
6.
to give an unflattering or damaging picture of
7.
to bring suit against by presenting a libel (sense 4)
Word origin
ME, little book < OFr < L libellus, little book, writing, lampoon, dim. of liber, a book: see library
Examples of 'libel' in a sentence
libel
We have some of the most stringent libel laws in the world.
The Sun (2017)
The abuse of libel laws is not imaginary.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Real journalists are governed by libel laws and editorial standards.
The Sun (2017)
Outside the court after his libel trial, a mob howled for his blood.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
His attempts to capitalise on a new film of the libel trial by embarking on a lecture tour are as shamefully opportunistic as they are pointless.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The new law protected journalists by imposing on claimants the burden to show that the alleged libel actually caused them'serious harm '.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
What do you get when you cross a libel lawyer with a demon from hell?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
My neighbour points out that most libel trials are decided by juries.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
At what point does it become slander or libel?
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
The barrister takes on a libel suit against a publisher.
The Sun (2006)
Then came the libel action and drugs allegations.
The Sun (2008)
He is famous for not being boring and has the libel damages to prove it.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We have got very strong libel laws in this country.
The Sun (2016)
They have worked in the media for many years and are well versed in the pain thresholds of defendant libel lawyers.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Meantime litigation will remain the only option, for both libel and privacy claimants.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And this is in a context where libel claimants have built-in advantages.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He had a spell in prison after he lied in a 1987 libel trial.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This judgment will now strengthen the position of others facing libel suits, too.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The Bill will bring libel laws into the modern age.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You need deep pockets to risk hiring the top-flight libel lawyers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Books are already being cancelled by publishers because the economics of publishing are such that they cannot sustain the costs of a libel action.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is impossible to keep libel and slander hidden in one country as before, thanks to the internet.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We do not assist the genuine victims of libel by maintaining a system which is slow, expensive and complex.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They would also reduce costs in accident, libel and privacy claims and lead to many accident victims recovering more damages.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
A judicial committee rejected his allegations and recommended that criminal charges of libel should be brought against anyone repeating them.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
A curb on foreign libel claimants using English courts in the hope of big payouts is also being considered.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
And the Act removes the presumption in favour of Jury trial for libel claims.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
On the contrary, in 1804 he found himself once again facing a libel charge.
Richard Ingrams The Life and Adventures of William Cobbett (2005)
In other languages
libel
British English: libel NOUN
Libel is a written statement which wrongly accuses someone of something, and which is therefore against the law.
The company sued him for libel over the remarks.
American English: libel
Brazilian Portuguese: difamação
Chinese: 诽谤
European Spanish: calumnia
French: diffamation
German: Verleumdung
Italian: diffamazione
Japanese: 名誉棄損
Korean: 명예 훼손
European Portuguese: difamação
Latin American Spanish: calumnia
British English: libel VERB
To libel someone means to write or print something in a book, newspaper, or magazine which wrongly damages that person's reputation and is therefore against the law.
The newspaper which libelled him had already offered compensation.
American English: libel
Brazilian Portuguese: caluniar
Chinese: 诽谤
European Spanish: calumniar
French: diffamer
German: verleumden
Italian: diffamare
Japanese: 中傷する
Korean: >명예를 훼손하다문서로
European Portuguese: caluniar
Latin American Spanish: calumniar
(noun)
Definition
any damaging or unflattering representation or statement
She sued them for libel over the remarks.
Synonyms
defamation
He was considering suing for defamation.
slander
He is now suing the company for slander.
misrepresentation
denigration
the denigration of certain members of society
smear
a smear by his rivals
calumny
He alleges that he was the victim of calumny and dirty tricks.
vituperation
racist speeches full of vituperation, slander and prejudice
obloquy
aspersion
He has flatly denied casting aspersions on the star's character.
(verb)
Definition
to make or publish a false damaging statement or representation about (a person)
The newspaper which libelled him had already offered him compensation.
Synonyms
defame
He complained that the article defamed him.
smear
a crude attempt to smear her
slur
blacken
They're trying to blacken our name.
malign
We maligned him dreadfully, assuming the very worst about him.
denigrate
We habitually denigrated our boss in his absence.
revile
What right had the crowd to revile them?
vilify
He was vilified and forced into exile.
slander
He has been questioned on suspicion of slandering the politician.
traduce (formal)
They have been traduced in the press as xenophobic bigots.
derogate
calumniate
drag (someone's) name through the mud
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aspersion
He has flatly denied casting aspersions on the star's character.
Synonyms
slander,
abuse,
smear,
censure,
slur,
reproach,
defamation,
vilification,
denigration,
calumny,
character assassination,
disparagement,
vituperation,
obloquy,
detraction,
traducement
in the sense of blacken
Definition
to damage (someone's reputation)
They're trying to blacken our name.
Synonyms
discredit,
stain,
disgrace,
smear,
knock (informal),
degrade,
rubbish (informal),
taint,
tarnish,
censure,
slur,
slag (off) (slang),
malign,
reproach,
denigrate,
disparage,
decry,
vilify,
slander,
sully,
dishonour,
defile,
defame,
bad-mouth (slang),
traduce,
bring into disrepute,
smirch,
calumniate
in the sense of calumniate
Definition
to make false or malicious statements about (someone)
Synonyms
slander,
knock (informal),
rubbish (informal),
libel,
blacken,
slag (off) (slang),
detract,
malign,
misrepresent,
denigrate,
revile,
vilify,
lampoon,
stigmatize,
defame,
bad-mouth (slang),
traduce,
backbite,
asperse,
vilipend (rare)
Synonyms of 'libel'
libel
Explore 'libel' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of calumny
Definition
a false or malicious statement
He alleges that he was the victim of calumny and dirty tricks.
Synonyms
slander,
abuse,
insult,
smear,
libel,
stigma,
defamation,
misrepresentation,
lying,
vilification,
denigration,
backbiting,
derogation,
vituperation,
obloquy,
aspersion,
evil-speaking,
detraction,
revilement,
calumniation
in the sense of denigrate
Definition
to criticize (someone or something) unfairly
We habitually denigrated our boss in his absence.
Synonyms
disparage,
run down,
slag (off) (slang),
knock (informal),
rubbish (informal),
blacken,
malign,
belittle,
decry,
revile,
vilify,
slander,
defame,
bad-mouth (slang),
besmirch,
impugn,
calumniate,
asperse
in the sense of denigration
the denigration of certain members of society
Synonyms
disparagement,
defamation,
belittling,
vilification,
besmirching,
obloquy,
aspersion,
detraction
in the sense of malign
Definition
to say unpleasant and untrue things about someone
We maligned him dreadfully, assuming the very worst about him.
Synonyms
disparage,
abuse,
run down,
libel,
knock (informal),
injure,
rubbish (informal),
smear,
blacken (someone's name),
slag (off) (slang),
denigrate,
revile,
vilify,
slander,
defame,
bad-mouth (slang),
traduce,
speak ill of,
derogate,
do a hatchet job on (informal),
calumniate,
asperse
in the sense of revile
Definition
to be abusively scornful of
What right had the crowd to revile them?
Synonyms
malign,
abuse,
knock (informal),
rubbish (informal),
run down,
smear,
libel,
scorn,
slag (off) (slang),
reproach,
denigrate,
vilify,
slander,
defame,
bad-mouth (slang),
traduce,
calumniate,
vituperate,
asperse
in the sense of slander
Definition
the crime of making such a statement
He is now suing the company for slander.
Synonyms
defamation,
smear,
libel,
scandal,
misrepresentation,
calumny,
backbiting,
muckraking,
obloquy,
aspersion,
detraction
in the sense of slander
Definition
to utter slander (about)
He has been questioned on suspicion of slandering the politician.
Synonyms
defame,
smear,
libel,
slur,
malign,
detract,
disparage,
decry,
vilify,
traduce (formal),
backbite,
blacken (someone's) name,
calumniate,
muckrake
in the sense of smear
Definition
a false but damaging rumour spread by a rival or enemy
a smear by his rivals
Synonyms
slander,
libel,
defamation,
vilification,
whispering campaign,
calumny,
mudslinging
in the sense of smear
Definition
to spread false and damaging rumours (about)
a crude attempt to smear her
Synonyms
slander,
tarnish,
malign,
vilify,
blacken,
sully,
besmirch,
traduce (formal),
calumniate,
asperse,
drag (someone's) name through the mud
in the sense of traduce
Definition
to speak badly of (someone)
They have been traduced in the press as xenophobic bigots.
Synonyms
malign,
abuse,
knock (informal),
rubbish (informal),
run down,
smear,
blacken,
slag (off) (slang),
detract,
misrepresent,
denigrate,
disparage,
decry,
revile,
vilify,
slander,
dump on (slang, US),
deprecate,
depreciate,
defame,
bad-mouth (slang),
speak ill of,
drag through the mud,
calumniate,
asperse
Additional synonyms
in the sense of vilify
Definition
to speak very badly of (someone)
He was vilified and forced into exile.
Synonyms
malign,
abuse,
denigrate,
knock (informal),
rubbish (informal),
run down,
smear,
slag (off) (slang),
berate,
disparage,
decry,
revile,
slander,
dump on (slang),
debase,
defame,
bad-mouth (slang),
traduce,
speak ill of,
pull to pieces (informal),
calumniate,
vituperate,
asperse,
vilipend (rare)
in the sense of vituperation
racist speeches full of vituperation, slander and prejudice