DEFAMES Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

defames

verb

present tense third-person singular of defame

as in libels

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 accuses

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 defames Prime Minister Netanyahu has threatened to pass a law that could revoke the citizenship of Abraham, Szor or anyone who allegedly defames Israeli soldiers. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defames

Verb

Darker smears around the crater’s rim contain surface rocks and lunar dust called regolith previously altered by solar winds, micrometeorites, and cosmic radiation over an extended period of time.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026
The atmosphere works on them a little bit harder and reduces their strength and smears them a little bit more.

— Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of smears

Verb

Biggs, the Republican nominee to lead the state, accuses the Democratic incumbent of sowing unnecessary alarm.

— Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
In response, Cathcarts plays a voice note from the night before in which Carla accuses Morgan of not caring about Gabe.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of accuses

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defamers

defames

defaming

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

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Synonyms of defames

verb

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