defamation
gb/dˌɛfəmˈeɪʃən/ us/dˌɛfəmˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
rágalmazás, jó hírnév megsértése
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
rágalmazás
C1
Usage pattern:
defamation of [someone/something]; allegations/claims of defamation
The post accused the doctor of crimes he had never committed, and he called it defamation.
A bejegyzés olyan bűncselekményekkel vádolta az orvost, amelyeket soha nem követett el, ő pedig ezt rágalmazásnak nevezte.
She denied that her article was defamation and said every claim was supported by documents.
Tagadta, hogy a cikke rágalmazás lenne, és azt mondta, hogy minden állítást dokumentumok támasztanak alá.
Social media has made online defamation harder to control.
Learner examples
False rumors can be defamation.
A hamis pletykák rágalmazásnak minősülhetnek.
He said the story was defamation because it was not true.
Azt mondta, hogy a történet rágalmazás volt, mert nem volt igaz.
Common mistake:
Defamation normally involves false statements; true but negative comments are not usually defamation.
Meaning
damaging false statements
Collocations
defamation of character
|online defamation
|alleged defamation
|public defamation
|claims of defamation
|a defamation lawsuit
|a defamation case
|sue for defamation
|damages for defamation
|accuse someone of defamation
Synonyms
libel (Usually written or published defamation; legally narrower in many places.)
|
slander (Usually spoken defamation; legally narrower in many places.)
|
character assassination (Less legal; suggests a deliberate effort to ruin someone’s reputation.)
Antonyms
praise (A positive statement rather than a harmful false attack.)
|
vindication (The clearing of someone’s reputation rather than damage to it.)
Themes
law
|communication
|reputation
|media
Definition
Saying or publishing false things that damage someone’s good name.
The act of harming a person’s or organization’s reputation by making or spreading false statements about them.
NOUN
C1
LEGAL
2
Usage pattern:
defamation claim/action/suit; sue for defamation
The actor filed a defamation claim against the newspaper.
A színész a jó hírnevének megsértése miatt keresetet nyújtott be az újság ellen.
The court said the statement was an opinion, so it could not support defamation.
A bíróság szerint a kijelentés vélemény volt, ezért nem minősülhetett a jó hírnév megsértésének.
Defamation law tries to balance reputation with freedom of speech.
Learner examples
She sued the magazine for defamation.
Jó hírnév megsértése miatt beperelte a magazint.
The judge dismissed the defamation case.
A bíró elutasította a jó hírnév megsértése miatti pert.
Common mistake:
Libel and slander are types or forms of defamation in many legal systems, but the exact rules vary by place.
Meaning
legal wrong against reputation
Collocations
defamation law
|defamation claim
|defamation action
|defamation suit
|defamation damages
|defamation proceedings
|bring a defamation claim
|dismiss a defamation claim
|defense to defamation
|defamation per se
Synonyms
libel (A form of defamation involving written, printed, or otherwise published statements.)
|
slander (A form of defamation involving spoken statements in many legal systems.)
|
tort (A broader legal word for a civil wrong; defamation is one kind of tort.)
Themes
law
|courts
|reputation
|speech
Definition
A legal claim about false words that hurt someone’s reputation.
In law, the wrong of communicating a false statement of fact about a person or organization that harms their reputation and may justify a claim for damages.
Grammar
Dictionary form
defamation
IPA
GB/dˌɛfəmˈeɪʃən/
US/dˌɛfəmˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
de - fam - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: defamation
- Plural: defamation
Expressions
criminal defamation
1/kɹˈɪmənəl dˌɛfəmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
legal
defamation treated as crime
A crime, in some places, involving false statements that damage someone’s reputation.
Examples
- Journalists criticized the country’s criminal defamation laws as a threat to free speech.
- The activist was charged with criminal defamation after criticizing a public official.
Learner examples
- Some countries have criminal defamation laws.
defamation claim
1/dˌɛfəmˈeɪʃən klˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
legal
formal allegation of defamation
A formal statement that someone defamed you.
Examples
- The judge dismissed the defamation claim because the article was substantially true.
- Her lawyers said the broadcast gave them grounds for a defamation claim.
Learner examples
- The court rejected his defamation claim.
defamation lawsuit
1/dˌɛfəmˈeɪʃən lˈɔsˌut/
fixed phrase
legal
lawsuit over defamatory statements
A court case about false statements that damaged someone’s reputation.
Examples
- The company filed a defamation lawsuit against the former employee.
- After months of negotiations, the two sides settled the defamation lawsuit.
Learner examples
- He won the defamation lawsuit.
defamation of character
1/dˌɛfəmˈeɪʃən əv kˈɛɹɪktɚ/
fixed phrase
legal
false attacks on reputation
False statements that damage a person’s reputation.
Examples
- He threatened to sue the blog for defamation of character after it accused him of theft.
- Calling the review defamation of character, the owner demanded a public apology.
Learner examples
- The false story was defamation of character.
sue for defamation
1/sˈu fɚ dˌɛfəmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
legal
bring a defamation case
To take someone to court because they damaged your reputation with false statements.
Examples
- The mayor sued the newspaper for defamation over the corruption story.
- You cannot successfully sue for defamation just because a comment embarrassed you.
Learner examples
- She sued him for defamation.