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defamatory

adjective

/dɪˈfæməˌtɔri/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of defamatory

Harming a person's reputation by making false or damaging claims about them.
"The company was sued for publishing defamatory remarks about a competitor."

Detailed meaning of defamatory

Such statements are often intentionally made to damage the individual's reputation and can cause harm to their personal and professional life. Defamatory statements can be made in written or spoken form, and can be spread through various media, including social media, print media, and broadcast media. Defamation is a serious offense and can lead to legal action if it is proven to have caused harm to the individual's reputation. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the language used and ensure that statements made about individuals are truthful and accurate.

Example sentences containing defamatory

1. The defamatory article led to a lawsuit for slander.
2. Spreading defamatory rumors is both unethical and harmful.
3. Her reputation was tarnished by the defamatory remarks.
4. The politician faced accusations of defamatory statements.
5. The writer was sued for publishing a defamatory story.
6. A legal team was assembled to address the defamatory comments.

History and etymology of defamatory

The term 'defamatory' derives its etymology from the Latin word 'diffamatorius,' which in turn originates from 'diffamare,' meaning 'to spread false rumors' or 'to dishonor by slander.' This Latin root, 'diffamare,' is a combination of 'dis-' (meaning 'apart' or 'away from') and 'fama' (meaning 'reputation' or 'fame'). Thus, the etymology of 'defamatory' vividly illustrates its essence: it pertains to statements or claims that lead to the separation or deterioration of one's reputation or fame, making it a term closely linked to the act of harming a person's character through false or damaging allegations.

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Further usage examples of defamatory

1. The lawsuit alleged that the report contained defamatory content.
2. The comedian's defamatory jokes crossed the line of decency.
3. Publishing defamatory content can result in severe consequences.
4. The company took legal action against the defamatory post.
5. His defamatory remarks were aimed at damaging her career.
6. The journalist faced backlash for her defamatory article.
7. Spreading defamatory information online is a growing concern.
8. A public apology was issued to counter the defamatory statement.
9. The actor filed a lawsuit over the defamatory tabloid story.
10. The defamatory campaign sought to ruin his reputation.
11. The court ruled that the statement was indeed defamatory.
12. The editor removed the defamatory content from the article.
13. The public figure was subjected to relentless defamatory attacks.
14. A cease and desist order was issued to stop the defamatory speech.
15. The article contained several defamatory statements about the celebrity.
16. Making defamatory comments about someone is not acceptable.
17. The politician threatened to sue the newspaper for publishing defamatory allegations.
18. The comedian was accused of making defamatory jokes about a minority group.
19. It is important to avoid making defamatory statements about individuals or groups.
20. The social media post was deleted due to its defamatory content.
21. The author was sued for including defamatory statements about a real-life person in their book.
22. The athlete denied the defamatory allegations made by the media.
23. The company apologized for the defamatory advertisement it had published.
24. The journalist was fired for writing a defamatory article about a local business owner.
25. The actor filed a lawsuit against the magazine for publishing defamatory claims about their personal life.