defame in English
- defame⇄defame, transitive verb, -famed,-faming.
1. to attack the good name of; harm the reputation of; speak evil of; slander or libel.
Ex. Men in public life are sometimes defamed by opponents. Other ventures have tried to defame respectable people
defame in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
defame in Marathi मराठी
defame in Sindhi سنڌي
defame in Urdu اُردُو
Defame
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/dɪˈfeɪm/
Definitions
- 1. To damage the reputation of someone through false or malicious statements.
- 2. To speak ill of someone with the intent to harm their public image or standing.
Usage Examples
- "The journalist was sued for attempting to defame the celebrity in the article."
- "He tried to defame his opponent during the election campaign with false claims."
Etymology
From the Latin "defamare," meaning "to slander," from "de-" meaning "away" and "fama" meaning "reputation" or "fame." The term evolved into English usage as a verb meaning to tarnish or damage someone’s reputation.
Synonyms
- Slander
- Libel
- Vilify
- Malign
- Belittle
- Denigrate
Antonyms
- Praise
- Compliment
- Honor
- Respect
- Admire
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Difamar | /diˈfamɑr/ |
| French | Diffamer | /di.fa.me/ |
| German | Verleumden | /fɛʁˈlɔʏm.dən/ |
| Italian | Diffamare | /di.famˈa.re/ |
| Portuguese | Difamar | /dʒi.faˈmaɾ/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 诽谤 | /fěi bàng/ |
| Japanese | 名誉毀損する | /meiyo kison suru/ |
| Korean | 명예 훼손하다 | /myeong-ye hweson-hada/ |
| Russian | Клеветать | /klyeˈvʲetatʲ/ |
| Arabic | تشويه السمعة | /tashwīh al-sumʿah/ |
| Hindi | बदनाम करना | /badnāma karanā/ |
| Bengali | মিথ্যা অপবাদ করা | /mithyā apabād karā/ |
| Marathi | निंदा करणे | /nindā karaṇe/ |
| Punjabi | ਬਦਨਾਮ ਕਰਨਾ | /badnāma karnā/ |
| Gujarati | નિંદા કરવી | /nindā karavī/ |
| Telugu | తప్పుడు ఆరోపణ చేయడం | /tapuddu āro̱paṇa cēyaḍaṁ/ |
| Kannada | ನಿಂದನೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು | /nindanē māḍuvudu/ |
| Malayalam | ചെറ്റുമണി പറഞ്ഞുകൂട്ടല് | /ceṭṭumaṇi paṟaññukūṭṭal/ |
| Odia | ନିନ୍ଦା କରିବା | /nindā karibā/ |
| Assamese | মিথ্যা অপবাদ দিয়া | /mithyā apabād diyā/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "defame" is consistent across English-speaking regions, with minor variations in stress. In British English, the first syllable is slightly emphasized, while in American English, the stress may be more neutral.
Historical Usage
The term "defame" dates back to the late 14th century and originally meant to speak ill of someone or to diminish their honor. The use of defamation laws to protect individuals from false statements began to take shape in the 16th and 17th centuries as libel and slander laws evolved.
Cultural Nuances
Defamation is viewed differently across cultures. In some countries, defamation laws are stringent and include criminal penalties, while in others, the legal system primarily handles defamation claims as civil matters. Cultural attitudes also play a role in how defamation is perceived; some societies emphasize the protection of public reputation, while others focus on the value of free speech and expression.
More Information
Defamation, in both its written and spoken forms, can have significant legal and social repercussions. It is defined by the spreading of false information that harms another individual's or entity’s reputation. Laws vary by country, but many modern legal systems provide avenues for defamed parties to seek restitution, typically through civil courts. Defamation also plays a critical role in media, journalism, and public relations, where the need to balance free expression with ethical standards is paramount. The offense can lead to legal claims such as slander or libel, and is taken seriously in most legal jurisdictions.