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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

But that wasn’t the only Scheshu slander on Vanderpump Villa season 3. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Apr. 2026 This narrative that has been created, that image that anyone who speaks against a revolution is thrown into jail, that’s a big lie, that’s a slander, and that’s part of that construct, in order to vilify and to engage a character assassination of the Cuban Revolution. — NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026

Verb

Let evil recoil on those who slander Kendra; in your faithfulness destroy them. — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026 People tried to murder him, incarcerate him, slander him. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slander

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slander

Noun

Reuters — Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former politician who was jailed for lying in a high-profile libel case, has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said on Monday.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
His political career, which included a spell as the Conservative Party’s deputy chairman, was interrupted by a period in prison in 2001 after he was found guilty of lying and cheating in a 1987 libel case against The Daily Star newspaper.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of libel

Verb

Following Tuesday’s baseline dust-up after a foul on Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson confronted a fan, leading Cloud to take to Threads and smear both the Indiana Fever organization and the spectator.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Sweat glistened on the white foundation smeared across her face.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of smear

Noun

Gibney has never been one to shy away from controversy, but even before Musk’s release, the film drew the ire of its subject and threats of a defamation lawsuit.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Oct. 2026
Conrad’s legal team includes Camille Vasquez, who was among the attorneys who represented actor Johnny Depp in his defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of defamation

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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 14 Oct. 2026.

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noun

verb

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