defame

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of DEFAME

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>

Synonyms asperse, blacken, calumniate, defame, libel, malign, smear, traduce, vilify

Near Antonyms exalt, glorify, honor; acclaim, applaud, commend, praise; esteem, respect; admire, regard; adore, revere, venerate, worship

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

Synonyms charge, criminate, defame [archaic], impeach, incriminate, indict

Related Words blame, call (on), castigate, censure, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, fault, impugn, reproach, reprobate; chide, rebuke, reprove, tax; appeal, arraign, book, cite, summon; prosecute, sue, try; frame, implicate, inculpate, inform (against), name, report; recriminate, retaliate

Near Antonyms advocate, champion, defend; excuse, forgive, justify, pardon, remit, shrive

Antonyms absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

What made you want to look up defame? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears