defame

Meaning

Verb

1. To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.
2. (historical) To charge; to accuse (someone) of an offence.
3. To harm or diminish the reputation of; to disparage.

Noun

1. (archaic, countable, uncountable) Disgrace, dishonour.
2. (archaic, countable, nonstandard, uncountable) Defamation; slander, libel.

Adj

Synonym of defamed.

Synonyms

slander

malign

vilify

libel

denigrate

calumniate

asperse

traduce

revile

disgrace

discredit

disparage

abuse

backbite

smear

sully

slur

blaspheme

shame

badmouth

besmirch

ruin

blame

insult

decry

denounce

censure

blacken

belittle

misrepresent

condemn

gossip

humiliate

incriminate

stigmatize

run down

violate

depreciate

derogate

diss

smirch

speak evil of

destroy

make a false charge

treat somebody badly

stain with stigma

destroy the reputation of

speak slightingly of

raduce

villainize

Translations

diffamer

verleumden

calomnier

difamar

difamar

diffamieren

diffamare

calunniare

calumniar

belasteren

συκοφαντώ

δυσφημώ

caluniar

denigrare

infamare

Pronounced as (IPA)

/dɪˈfeɪm/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: defamen

In summary

From Middle English defamen, from Anglo-Norman defamer (verb), defame (noun), and its source, Latin diffāmō, from fāma (“fame; rumour; reputation”).