slander

[ slan-der ]
/ ˈslæn dər /

noun

defamation; calumny: rumors full of slander.
a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report: a slander against his good name.
Law. defamation by oral utterance rather than by writing, pictures, etc.

verb (used with object)

to utter slander against; defame.

verb (used without object)

to utter or circulate slander.

Origin of slander

1250–1300; (noun) Middle English s(c)laundre < Anglo-French esclaundre, Old French esclandre, alteration of escandle < Late Latin scandalum cause of offense, snare (see scandal); (v.) Middle English s(c)laundren to cause to lapse morally, bring to disgrace, discredit, defame < Old French esclandrer, derivative of esclandre

SYNONYMS FOR slander

4 malign, vilify, revile.

OTHER WORDS FROM slander

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH slander

defamation liable libel slander (see usage note at liable) defame libel slander libel slander

Words nearby slander

slam-bang, slam-dunk, slammer, slamming, slamming stile, slander, slang, slang dictionary, slanging match, slanguage, slangy

Words related to slanderers

murderer, spy, terrorist, competitor, rival, guerrilla, agent, detractor, bandit, foe, villain, traitor, rebel, opposition, invader, criminal, adversary, antagonist, opponent, prosecutor

Example sentences from the Web for slanderers

British Dictionary definitions for slanderers

slander
/ (ˈslɑːndə) /

noun

law
  1. defamation in some transient form, as by spoken words, gestures, etc
  2. a slanderous statement, etc
any false or defamatory words spoken about a person; calumny

verb

to utter or circulate slander (about)

Derived forms of slander

slanderer, noun slanderous, adjective slanderously, adverb slanderousness, noun

Word Origin for slander

C13: via Anglo-French from Old French escandle, from Late Latin scandalum a cause of offence; see scandal