Vocabulary Spotlight
Defame
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To damage someone’s good reputation by making false or misleading statements about them.
“He accused the rival company of attempting to defame him through false allegations.”
Pronunciation
[dih-faym]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Libel
Vilify
Disparage
Denigrate
Antonyms
Commend
Support
Celebrate
Honor
Related Words
Defamatory (adjective)
Word Origin
“Defame” stems from the Latin “diffamare,” meaning to spread information. By the 13th century, it took on the negative connotation of harming someone’s reputation through falsehoods.
Word Family
Noun: Defamation – The act of harming someone’s reputation with false statements.
Adjective: Defamatory – Characterized by false statements that harm someone’s reputation.
Mnemonics
Think of “defame” as “de-fame” — to take away fame or reputation through damaging statements.
Industry-specific Usage
Law
Defamation laws protect individuals from defaming statements that unjustly damage their reputation.
Public Relations
PR professionals work to counteract defaming statements to protect their clients’ reputations.
Media and Journalism
Journalists avoid defaming statements to maintain ethical standards and avoid legal repercussions.
In Context
Defamation is a legal and ethical issue in many fields, where false and damaging statements can have serious reputational impacts. Preventing defaming acts is critical in media, law, and public relations.