What does "libel" mean?

A written or pictorial false statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.

What is a synonym for "libel"?

Common synonyms include: defamation, abuse, affidavit, allegation, asperse, asperse.

//ˈlaɪbəl// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Common ·High school level

Noun

1
A written or pictorial false statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation. countable
2
the written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defamation) and any relief they seek wordnet
3
The act or tort of displaying such a statement publicly. uncountable
4
a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person wordnet
5
Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire. countable

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6
A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of their cause of action, and of the relief they seek. countable
"These provisions of law being in force, the steamer Rio Grande, owned, as was alleged, by persons in Mexico, being in the port of Mobile, in the Southern District of Alabama, certain materialmen, on the 26th of November, 1867, filed separate libels against her in the district court for the said district."
7
A brief writing of any kind, especially a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, etc. countable
"a libel of forsaking [divorcement]"

Verb

1
To defame (someone), especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel. transitive
"He libelled her when he published that."
2
print slanderous statements against wordnet
3
To proceed against (goods, a ship, etc.) by filing a legal claim. transitive