words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another

an abusive attack on a persons character or good name

[ Syn: aspersion , calumny , defamation , denigration ]

charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone; The journalists have defamed me! The article in the paper sullied my reputation

[ Syn: defame , smirch , asperse , denigrate , calumniate , smear , sully , besmirch ]