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slander

Slander (noun) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

noun

IPA:

/ˈslɑːndə/

What does slander mean?

The act of making false, malicious, or defamatory statements about someone, either verbally or in writing.
"He was accused of slander for spreading false rumors about his rival."

Detailed Meaning of Slander

It is a form of defamation, which is the communication of a false statement that harms the reputation of an individual, business, product, group, government, religion, or nation.

Slander is different from libel, which is defamation in written or recorded form.

Slander is often spoken and tends to be more temporary in nature because it is not recorded or written.

Slanderous statements can be made to one person or to many, and they can be made in person, over the phone, or through social media or other forms of digital communication. It can cause harm to a person's reputation, career, or personal life, and it can lead to legal action.

Slander is considered as a serious offense and it can be punishable by law.

Example Sentences for Slander

1. The celebrity sued the tabloid for publishing slanderous lies.
2. Spreading slander can damage a person's reputation irreparably.
3. Accusations of slander can have legal consequences.
4. He refuted the slanderous claims made against him.
5. The politician was embroiled in a slander scandal.
6. Slanderous remarks are harmful and unethical.

Origin and Etymology of Slander

The noun 'slander' has its etymology rooted in Old French and Latin. It can be traced back to the Old French word 'esclandre,' which was derived from the Latin term 'exclamare,' meaning 'to cry out' or 'to shout.' In its early usage, 'esclandre' referred to a scandalous or disgraceful statement that was loudly proclaimed, often in a public manner. Over time, this term evolved into 'slander' in Middle English, specifically denoting the act of making false, malicious, or defamatory statements about someone, either verbally or in writing, with the intent to damage their reputation. The etymology of 'slander' vividly captures the historical association between scandalous utterances and the harm they can cause to an individual's character and reputation.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the noun slander:

honesty

accuracy

truth

defamation

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Slander

1. The journalist was sued for publishing slander.
2. The courtroom battle centered around charges of slander.
3. Spreading slander is a cowardly way to harm others.
4. The lawsuit aimed to prove the slander was false.
5. The company faced a lawsuit over alleged slander.
6. Slanderous statements were made during the debate.
7. A false accusation of slander can be damaging.
8. The lawyer presented evidence to refute the slander.
9. The slander campaign against her was baseless.
10. Spreading slander undermines trust in journalism.
11. The public figure was a target of vicious slander.
12. Slander can tarnish a person's professional reputation.
13. The CEO denied the slanderous allegations.
14. Slander is a serious offense in the legal system.
15. She was charged with slander for making defamatory statements about a public figure.
16. The company was sued for slander for spreading false information about a competitor.
17. He was guilty of slander for falsely accusing someone of a crime.
18. She was found guilty of slander for making false statements about a business.
19. The group was accused of slander for spreading false information about a public figure.
20. He was charged with slander for spreading false rumors about a celebrity.
21. She was found guilty of slander for making false statements about a person's character.
22. The politician was accused of slander for spreading false information about their opponents.
23. She resorted to slander to ruin her competitors’ reputations.
24. He was charged with slander for spreading false rumors about a company.
25. She was found guilty of slander for spreading false information about a public figure.
26. The company was sued for slander for spreading false information about a product.