A false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person.

Roget 934: detraction, disparagement, depreciation, vilification, obloquy, scurrility, scandal, defamation, aspersion, traducement, slander, calumny, obtrectation^†, evil-speaking, backbiting, scandalum magnatum [Lat.].    personality, libel, lampoon, skit, pasquinade; chronique scandaleuse [Fr.]; roorback [U.S.].    sarcasm, cynicism; criticism (disapprobation) 932; invective etc. 932; envenomed tongue; spretae injuria formae [Lat.].    personality, libel, lampoon, skit, pasquinade; chronique scandaleuse [Fr.]; roorback [U.S.].    detractor etc. 936.    ... show more

Roget 938: accusation, charge, imputation, slur, inculpation, exprobration^†, delation; crimination; incrimination, accrimination^†, recrimination; tu quoque argument [Lat.]; invective etc. 932.    denunciation, denouncement; libel, challenge, citation, arraignment; impeachment, appeachment^†; indictment, bill of indictment, true bill; lawsuit etc. 969; condemnation etc. 971.    gravamen of a charge, head and front of one's offending, argumentum ad hominem [Lat.]; scandal etc. (detraction) 934; scandalum magnatum [Lat.].    accuser, prosecutor, plaintiff; relator, informer; appellant.    accused, defendant, prisoner, perpetrator, panel, respondent; litigant.    ... show more

Polish: paszkwil

The written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defamation) and any relief he seeks.

Print slanderous statements against.

Roget 934: detract, derogate, decry, deprecate, depreciate, disparage; run down, cry down; backcap [U.S.]; belittle; sneer at etc. (contempt) 930; criticize, pull to pieces, pick a hole in one's coat, asperse, cast aspersions, blow upon, bespatter, blacken, vilify, vilipend^†; avile^†; give a dog a bad name, brand, malign; muckrake; backbite, libel, lampoon, traduce, slander, defame, calumniate, bear false witness against; speak ill of behind one's back.    fling dirt etc. (disrespect) 929; anathematize etc. 932; dip the pen in gall, view in a bad light.    impugn (disparage the motives of); assail, attack etc. 716; oppose etc. 708; denounce, accuse etc. 938.    ... show more