Defamation is a statement that injures a third party's reputation. The tort of defamation includes both libel (written statements) and slander (spoken statements).

In an action for defamation per se the law recognizes that certain false statements are so damaging that they create a presumption of injury to the plaintiff's reputation, allowing a defamation case to …

Dec 3, 2024 · Learn about the legal definition of defamation, possible defenses, and how to sue. Libel and slander are two types of defamation. Libel includes written or pictorial defamatory statements. …

Apr 1, 2026 · Learn what legally qualifies as defamation, from the four core elements and public figure standards to common defenses and how damages work.

The meaning of DEFAMATION is the act of communicating false statements about a person that injure the reputation of that person : the act of defaming another; also : a communication that …

Oct 10, 2025 · Learn what defamation means under U.S. law — full definition, examples, types (libel & slander), and key defenses explained in simple terms.

Apr 3, 2025 · Learn what legally counts as defamation in the U.S., when you can sue, and how the “actual malice” standard works for public figures and private individuals.

The Core Principle: Defamation is the act of communicating a false statement to a third party that injures another person's reputation. It is a civil wrong, or tort, not a crime in most modern contexts.

3 days ago · A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over a story on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Defamation is false statements that harm someone’s reputation. Each state defines defamation in its own way, but they must be sure to be consistent with what courts have ruled is in line with the First …