PoliticsJuly 8, 2026

defamation

/ˌdefəˈmeɪʃən/

Definition

The act of making false spoken or written statements about someone that damage their reputation.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'diffamare,' meaning to spread abroad or circulate bad news. It entered Middle English through Old French, combining 'dis-' (meaning apart or away) with 'fama' (fame or report).

In the news

The article mentions this term in relation to a lawsuit filed by a political candidate who claimed his reputation was harmed by public allegations. It highlights a legal attempt to address damaging claims made against his character.

Who's running for Missouri's 6th District? It now includes more of the Northland and Kansas City

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KCUR

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