slander Meaning & Definition
What Does Slander Mean?
Slander is used as a verb meaning to utter slander against. As a noun, it means the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation.
Slander: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈslan-dər/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | denigrate, defamation and calumny |
| Antonyms | acclaim, accolade and applause |
| Plural | slanders |
| Verb forms | slanders, slandering, slandered |
Slander Definition (Verb)
- to utter slander against : defame
Slander as a Noun
- the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation
- a false and defamatory oral statement about a person
Synonyms of Slander
Antonyms of Slander
Slander in a Sentence
instead of resorting to slander, the candidates should be outlining their plans for getting us out of this mess
for some reason, that newspaper seems determined to slander one particular celebrity
Word Forms & Grammar
slan·dered
slan·der·ing
slan·der·er noun
slander
slandered
slanderer
slanderers
slandering
slanders
slan·der·ous adjective
slan·der·ous·ly adverb
slan·der·ous·ness noun
slanderous
slanderously
slanderousness
slanderousnesses
slander (countable and uncountable, plural slanders)
slander (third-person singular simple present slanders, present participle slandering, simple past and past participle slandered)
Words That Rhyme With Slander
Origin of Slander
Origin 1: Middle English sclaundre, slaundre, from Anglo-French esclandre, alteration of escandle, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense scandal:1
Origin 2: From Middle English slaundre, sclaundre, from Old French esclandre, from Ecclesiastical Latin scandalum (“stumbling block, temptation”), from Ancient Greek σκάνδαλον (skándalon, “scandal”). Doublet of scandal.
First Known Use
13th century
14th century
Pronouncing Slander
The standard pronunciation of slander is /ˈslan-dər/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (slan).
Frequently Asked Questions About Slander
Is slander a verb or a noun?
Slander is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for slander?
Words with a similar meaning to slander include denigrate, defamation and calumny. See the full list of slander synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of slander?
The opposite of slander can be expressed with words like acclaim, accolade, applause and commendation.
What is the plural of slander?
The plural of slander is slanders.
What is the past tense of slander?
The past tense of slander is slandered. The present participle is slandering.