slander

If your classmate spreads a false rumor that you cheated on the math test, that's slander. Slander is the act of saying an untrue, negative statement about someone.

In law, the word slander is contrasted with libel, which is the act of making a false written statement about someone. The noun slander is from Old French esclandre, escandle, or "scandal," from Late Latin scandalum "stumbling block, offense."

Definitions of slander

1

n words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another

Types:: mud
slanderous remarks or charges

Type of:: calumniation, calumny, defamation, hatchet job, obloquy, traducement
a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions; speech act
the use of language to perform some act

n an abusive attack on a person's character or good name

Synonyms:: aspersion, calumny, defamation, denigration

Type of:: attack
strong criticism

v charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone

Synonyms:: asperse, besmirch, calumniate, defame, denigrate, smear, smirch, sully

Types:: assassinate
destroy or damage seriously, as of someone's reputation; libel
print slanderous statements against; badmouth, drag through the mud, malign, traduce
speak unfavorably about

Type of:: accuse, charge
blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against