defamation | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
Defamation is a statement that injures a third party's reputation. The tort of defamation includes both libel (written statements) and slander (spoken statements). State common law and statutory law governs defamation actions, and each state varies in their standards for defamation and potential damages .
Defamation Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of DEFAMATION is the act of communicating false statements about a person that injure the reputation of that person : the act of defaming another : calumny. How to use defamation in a sentence.
Libel, Slander, and Defamation Law: The Basics - FindLaw
Dec 3, 2024 · Defamation is a civil action that covers false statements that cause reputational harm. Libel and slander are two types of defamation. Libel includes written or pictorial defamatory statements while slander includes verbal defamatory statements.
Defamation - Wikipedia
Defamation is defined as spreading a false report or insinuation apt to cause harm to a person, or otherwise disparaging someone. Defamation of the deceased may also constitute an offence if apt to cause harm to surviving loved ones.
Defamation - Definition, Examples, Cases, Processes - Legal …
Jan 10, 2015 · Defamation defined and explained with examples. Defamation is an untrue spoken or published statement that harms the reputation of a person.
Defamation | Definition, Slander vs. Libel, & Facts | Britannica
Jan 9, 2025 · Defamation, in law, the act of communicating to a third party false statements about a person that result in damage to that person’s reputation. The concept encompasses libel, or defamation through published words or pictures, and slander, or spoken defamation.
Defamation Laws and Lawsuits Made Simple - Nolo
Feb 20, 2024 · Defamation happens when a person or business makes a false statement—verbally or in writing—about someone that damages their reputation. Defamation laws vary from state to state, but the basic elements of defamation are the same in every state.
Harm to Reputation and the Law of Defamation - Law Soup
This is a guide to the laws about harm to a person’s reputation, which in “legalese” is known as defamation. In general, speech, which can mean speaking, writing, or even artistic expression, is strongly protected by the 1st amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Defamation, Libel and Slander: What Do They Mean and How Do …
Sep 27, 2023 · Defamation is the umbrella term that describes statements someone makes about another person, which hurt their ability to function in society, says David Partlett, Ada Griggs Candler Professor of...
What Is Defamation? - Freedom Forum
Defamation is false statements that harm someone’s reputation. Each state defines defamation in its own way, but they must be sure to be consistent with what courts have ruled is in line with the First Amendment. Not every false statement about someone is automatically defamation.