libel
gb/lˈaɪbəl/ us/lˈaɪbəl/
C1
English
rágalmazás, rágalom, rágalmaz
NOUN
C1
LEGAL
1
rágalmazás
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] sues [someone] for libel; [someone] wins damages for libel
The newspaper was sued for libel after alleging that the mayor had taken bribes.
Miután az újság azt állította, hogy a polgármester kenőpénzt fogadott el, rágalmazás miatt beperelték.
She won damages for libel when the allegations proved false.
Kártérítést ítéltek meg neki rágalmazás miatt, miután kiderült, hogy a vádak hamisak.
Under libel law, public figures often have to meet a high standard of proof.
Learner examples
He sued the blog for libel.
Rágalmazás miatt beperelte a blogot.
The article was false, so it may be libel.
A cikk hamis volt, ezért rágalmazásnak minősülhet.
Common mistake:
Do not use libel for every rude comment; it normally must be false, published, and damaging. Spoken defamation is usually called slander.
Meaning
legal published defamation
Collocations
sue for libel
|be sued for libel
|libel case
|libel claim
|libel action
|libel suit
|libel law
|prove libel
|damages for libel
|accuse someone of libel
Synonyms
defamation (broader; includes both libel and slander)
|
written defamation (explicitly contrasts with spoken slander)
|
character assassination (broader and more rhetorical; not necessarily legal)
Themes
law
|media
|reputation
|journalism
Definition
Libel is a false written or published statement that harms someone's reputation.
the legal wrong of publishing a false statement that harms a person's or organization's reputation, especially in writing or another lasting form.
NOUN
C1
LEGAL
2
rágalom
C1
Usage pattern:
a libel against [someone]; publish a libel
The online post was found to be a libel because it falsely accused the doctor of fraud.
Az online bejegyzést rágalomnak minősítették, mert hamisan csalással vádolta az orvost.
Her lawyer demanded that the site remove the libel immediately.
Az ügyvédje azt követelte, hogy az oldal azonnal távolítsa el a rágalmat.
Calling the rumor a malicious libel, the company issued a denial.
Learner examples
The post was a libel against the teacher.
A bejegyzés a tanár elleni rágalom volt.
The website deleted the libel.
A weboldal törölte a rágalmat.
Common mistake:
A libel is not just any insult; it generally has to be false and reputation-damaging.
Meaning
specific libellous statement
Collocations
a clear libel
|an actionable libel
|a malicious libel
|a blatant libel
|publish a libel
|print a libel
|repeat a libel
|remove a libel
|a libel against someone
|a libel on someone
Synonyms
defamatory statement (clear legal-sounding equivalent)
|
smear (more informal and often political)
|
false accusation (broader; may be spoken or private)
Antonyms
compliment (a positive statement rather than a damaging one)
|
tribute (a public statement of respect rather than attack)
Themes
law
|media
|reputation
Definition
A libel is one false harmful statement in writing or another published form.
a particular false written or published statement that damages a person's or organization's reputation.
VERB
C1
LEGAL
3
rágalmaz
C1
Usage pattern:
libel [someone/something]; be libeled/libelled by [someone]
The newspaper denies that it libeled the minister.
Az újság tagadja, hogy megrágalmazta a minisztert.
Critics may be harsh, but they must not knowingly libel private citizens.
A bírálók lehetnek kemények, de tudatosan nem rágalmazhatnak magánszemélyeket.
She claimed the podcast had libelled her by repeating a false allegation.
Learner examples
Do not libel people online.
Ne rágalmazz embereket az interneten.
The magazine libeled the actor.
A magazin megrágalmazta a színészt.
Common mistake:
In American English, the past forms are usually libeled and libeling; in British English, libelled and libelling are common. Do not confuse libel with liable.
Meaning
defame in writing
Collocations
libel a politician
|libel a company
|libel someone online
|be libeled in print
|allegedly libel someone
|knowingly libel someone
|falsely libel someone
|threaten to sue if libeled
Synonyms
defame (broader; can refer to spoken or written attacks)
|
smear (more informal, often in politics or media)
|
malign (formal; suggests speaking badly or unfairly)
Antonyms
praise (express approval instead of damaging reputation)
|
vindicate (clear someone from blame rather than damage their name)
Themes
law
|media
|reputation
|journalism
Definition
To libel someone is to write or publish something false that harms their reputation.
to publish or write a false statement about a person or organization that damages their reputation.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
4
rágalom
C1
Usage pattern:
a libel on [someone/something]; a libel against [someone/something]
The critic called the film a libel on the city and its people.
A kritikus a filmet a város és az ott élők elleni rágalomnak nevezte.
To suggest that all teachers are lazy is a libel against the profession.
Azt sugallni, hogy minden tanár lusta, rágalom a szakma ellen.
Residents said the article was a gross libel on their neighborhood.
Learner examples
That article was a libel on our town.
Az a cikk rágalom volt a városunk ellen.
The joke felt like a libel against nurses.
A vicc a nővérek elleni rágalomnak tűnt.
Common mistake:
This use is often rhetorical and does not always mean an actual legal accusation.
Meaning
unfair damaging portrayal
Collocations
a gross libel
|a cruel libel
|an unfair libel
|a libel on a profession
|a libel against a city
|describe something as a libel
|dismiss something as a libel
Synonyms
slur (broader and often about a group or identity)
|
smear (more informal and aggressive)
|
misrepresentation (emphasizes inaccuracy more than reputational harm)
Antonyms
fair portrayal (an accurate and balanced representation)
|
accurate account (a truthful description rather than a damaging false one)
Themes
reputation
|media
|criticism
Definition
A very unfair description that makes someone or something look bad.
an unfair or seriously inaccurate description or representation that damages the reputation of a person, group, place, or thing, even when no legal claim is intended.
Grammar
Dictionary form
libel
IPA
GB/lˈaɪbəl/
US/lˈaɪbəl/
Syllables & stress
li - bel (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (li)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: libel
- Plural: libel, libels
Verb
- Base: libel
- 3rd Person Singular: libels
- Present Participle: libeling, libelling
- Past: libeled, libelled
Expressions
blood libel
1/blˈʌd lˈaɪbəl/
fixed phrase
formal
antisemitic false accusation
Blood libel is a serious false accusation against a group, especially an old antisemitic lie about Jews.
Examples
- The museum exhibit explains the history of the blood libel and its role in antisemitic violence.
- Scholars warn that versions of the blood libel still appear in extremist propaganda.
- The phrase blood libel should not be used casually in ordinary political arguments.
Learner examples
- The book discusses the history of the blood libel.
criminal libel
1/kɹˈɪmənəl lˈaɪbəl/
fixed phrase
legal
crime of defamatory publication
Criminal libel is libel treated as a crime, not just as a private lawsuit.
Examples
- Press freedom groups urged the government to repeal its criminal libel laws.
- The editor faced a criminal libel charge after publishing accusations against an official.
- Critics argue that criminal libel can be used to silence journalists.
Learner examples
- The journalist was charged with criminal libel.
- Some countries still have criminal libel laws.
libel law
1/lˈaɪbəl lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
legal
rules about libel
Libel law is the set of rules about false published statements that harm reputations.
Examples
- Reporters need a basic understanding of libel law before publishing serious accusations.
- The country changed its libel laws to give stronger protection to free speech.
- Under libel law, truth is often a key defense.
Learner examples
- The editor studied libel law.
- Libel laws protect reputations.
libel suit
1/lˈaɪbəl sˈut/
fixed phrase
legal
libel lawsuit
A libel suit is a court case about a false published statement that harmed someone's reputation.
Examples
- The journalist won the libel suit after proving that the report was accurate.
- They settled the libel suit before it went to trial.
- A costly libel suit can discourage small publishers from investigating powerful people.
Learner examples
- The newspaper faced a libel suit.
- They settled the libel suit.
libel tourism
1/lˈaɪbəl tˈʊɹˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
legal
forum shopping for libel
Libel tourism is choosing a court in a favorable place to bring a libel case.
Examples
- The law was designed to discourage libel tourism by limiting enforcement of foreign judgments.
- Publishers worried that libel tourism could let powerful plaintiffs sue in distant courts.
- The court rejected the claim as an attempt at libel tourism.
Learner examples
- The new rule tries to stop libel tourism.
sue for libel
1/sˈu fɚ lˈaɪbəl/
fixed phrase
legal
start a libel lawsuit
To sue for libel is to go to court because someone published a false harmful statement about you.
Examples
- The actor sued the magazine for libel over a story about his finances.
- She threatened to sue for libel unless the website corrected the article.
- The company sued for libel after the blog accused it of selling unsafe products.
Learner examples
- He sued the newspaper for libel.
- She may sue for libel.
trade libel
1/tɹˈeɪd lˈaɪbəl/
fixed phrase
legal
false business disparagement
Trade libel is a false statement that harms the reputation of a product or business service.
Examples
- The manufacturer filed a trade libel claim after a rival falsely said its products were unsafe.
- A negative review is not trade libel if it is honest opinion or based on true facts.
- The court dismissed the trade libel claim because the company could not prove financial loss.
Learner examples
- The company claimed trade libel.
- False claims about a product can be trade libel.