defamation

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
  2. noun an abusive attack on a person's character or good name

Etymology

From Old French diffamacion (French diffamation), from Latin diffāmātiō. By surface analysis, defame + -ation.

In classic literature

Synonyms

calumny, calumniation, obloquy, traducement, hatchet job

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