SLANDEROUS

Examples of SLANDEROUS in a sentence

• The article contained slanderous accusations against the politician.
• She was sued for making slanderous remarks about her former employer.
• The company issued a statement denying the slanderous rumors circulating on social media.
• He faced legal consequences for spreading slanderous gossip about his neighbor.
• The journalist was careful not to publish anything slanderous without concrete evidence.
• The comedian’s slanderous jokes offended many audience members.
• The actress filed a lawsuit against the tabloid for publishing slanderous stories about her personal life.
• The author faced backlash for including slanderous portrayals of real people in their novel.

Origin of SLANDEROUS

The term slanderous delves into the realm of defamation and false accusations, embodying qualities of malicious falsehood and damaging speech. Rooted in legal terminology and ethical considerations, it has evolved into an adjective that describes statements or allegations intended to harm someone’s reputation unjustly.

• Legal Context: Slanderous is a term with a specific legal connotation, often used in the context of defamation law. In many jurisdictions, slander refers to the spoken or verbal form of defamation, where false statements are communicated orally to a third party with the intention of causing harm to the reputation of the person being targeted.
• Defamation and Falsehood: Slanderous statements are characterized by their falsity and malicious intent. They involve spreading rumors, lies, or misleading information about an individual or entity with the aim of tarnishing their reputation, credibility, or standing in the community.
• Harm to Reputation: Slanderous speech can have significant consequences, leading to damage to the victim’s reputation, loss of opportunities, and emotional distress. It can undermine trust, credibility, and relationships, impacting both personal and professional spheres of life.
• Intent to Injure: A key element of slanderous speech is the intention to injure or harm someone’s reputation. Unlike innocent mistakes or misunderstandings, slanderous statements are made with malice or ill will, seeking to undermine the target’s character or integrity.
• Legal Recourse: Victims of slanderous speech may have legal recourse under defamation laws, depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances of the case. Legal remedies for slander may include damages, injunctions, retractions, and apologies, aimed at mitigating the harm caused by the false statements.
• Ethical Considerations: Beyond legal implications, slanderous speech raises ethical concerns about honesty, integrity, and the responsible use of language. It violates principles of fairness, justice, and respect for others’ dignity, undermining the trust and cohesion of communities and societies.
• Social and Cultural Impact: Slanderous speech can have broader social and cultural implications, contributing to the spread of misinformation, divisiveness, and conflict within communities. It highlights the importance of promoting civil discourse, critical thinking, and media literacy to combat the proliferation of false or harmful narratives.

Slanderous encapsulates the malicious nature of false accusations and damaging speech, reflecting the legal, ethical, and social complexities involved in addressing defamation and protecting individual reputations. From its legal origins to its broader implications for trust and social cohesion, the term underscores the importance of responsible communication and ethical conduct in society.

Synonyms

• Calumnious
• Defamatory
• Libelous
• Malicious
• Dishonest
• Vilifying
• Injurious
• Smear

Antonyms

• Truthful
• Honest
• Factual
• Upright
• Valid
• Unblemished
• Praiseworthy
• Reputable