DEFAMED Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

defamed

verb

past tense of defame

as in libeled

to make untrue and harmful statements about of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so

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as in accused

archaic to make a claim of wrongdoing against so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defamed But earlier this year, a judge rejected Combs’ claim that he was defamed, noting in a 12-page decision that the documentary makers did not act irresponsibly or defame him. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 Clemishire’s lawsuit, which was filed in 2025, claimed that Morris and other church leaders defamed her in an internal statement to staff and mischaracterized the abuse. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026 Baldoni also filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, in January 2025, alleging that the couple and their PR firm had defamed him and Wayfarer Studios. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 27 July 2026 Former Mesa High School Athletic Director David Klecka is seeking $750,000 from the city, alleging a Mesa police officer defamed him and acted negligently during an investigation. — Alexandra Hardle, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2026 Trump separately was found civilly liable by another Manhattan federal court jury for having defamed Carroll. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 29 June 2026 In the process of court I have been fragmented, silenced, defamed and traumatized. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 25 June 2026 Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is suing Mayor Karen Bass personally, alleging that, while campaigning for reelection, Bass defamed her, damaging Crowley’s reputation by blaming her for the city’s response during the catastrophic Palisades fire. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 In her lawsuit, Theodat alleged that the Herald’s reporting of public lawsuits against her and the commission’s investigation of her, and her ultimate termination — that were matters of public interest – defamed her. — Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 14 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamed

Verb

Sweat glistened on the white foundation smeared across her face.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
One prank involved Quan, Capshaw, and Harrison Ford surprising Spielberg with ice cream smeared all over their faces for one take.

— Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of smeared

Verb

The Republican billionaire accused of fueling an infestation of rats in Chicago.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
In more recent times, moreover, the first steps taken by the Third Reich toward the Holocaust began with the economic boycott of the Jews, who were accused of harming the businesses and positions of their Aryan counterparts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of accused

Verb

However, Rob Shuter is reporting that Meghan believes Kate purposefully humiliated her by recently taking Princess Charlotte on the London Underground.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 Oct. 2026
His daughter is humiliated, and the message could not be clearer.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of humiliated

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“Defamed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defamed. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of defamed

verb

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