Defame

Quick meaning: Defame is a verb meaning To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.

Meaning

To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.

More Meanings

1. (now chiefly historical) To charge; to accuse (someone) of an offence.
2. To harm or diminish the reputation of; to disparage.
3. (now rare, archaic) Disgrace, dishonour.
4. (now rare or nonstandard) Defamation; slander, libel.
5. (heraldry) Synonym of defamed.

Example Sentences

to defame somebody

Rebecca is […] defamed of sorcery practised on the person of a noble knight.

My guilt thy growing virtues did defame; / My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name.

And all the sparks that may bring unto flame / Hate betwixt man and wife, or breed defame.

Word Forms

• defames
• defaming
• defamed

Synonyms for defame

Depending on context, synonyms include assassinate, asperse, backbite, badmouth, befoul, belibel.

Antonyms for defame

Common opposites include flatter, praise.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include denigrate, calumniate, slander, sully, besmirch, smirch.

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