26984 words

libel

5 definitions • 9 examples
1
a piece of writing that contains bad and false things about a person:

Examples:

She threatened to sue the magazine for libel.
2
to write and publish something that contains bad and false things about a person:

Examples:

She claims the newspaper libelled her in editorials and news articles.
With a few exceptions, no writer consciously sits down with the aim of libelling anyone.
3
a piece of writing that says bad, false, and harmful things about a person, or the legal claim you make when you accuse someone in court of writing such things about you:

Examples:

[ C ] The whole story was a vicious libel.
[ U ] Angry at what the newspaper had printed, she sued for libel.
4
something written or published that makes false or unfair statements that are likely to damage the reputation of a person or organization:

Examples:

libel suit/lawsuit They filed a libel lawsuit against the person responsible for the web posting.
He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment after the collapse of his libel action against the newspaper.
He was determined to sue any publication that repeated the libels.
5
to write or publish something which makes false or unfair statements that are likely to damage the reputation of a person or organization:

Examples:

He pardoned two journalists who had been sentenced to prison for libelling the foreign minister.

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