How Do You Spell DEFAMATORY?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈamətəɹˌi] (IPA)

Defamatory is an adjective that describes a statement or action that damages someone's reputation. The word is spelled with four syllables: dee-fuh-muh-tawr-ee. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "e" sound, and the second syllable has a schwa sound. The third syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound, and the final syllable has the "ee" sound. Defamatory derives from Latin "diffamatorius," meaning "slanderous." The word is commonly used in legal settings to describe statements that are untrue and harmful to someone's reputation.

DEFAMATORY Meaning and Definition

1. Defamatory is an adjective that refers to something that is inclined to damage or harm the reputation of another person, entity, or a group. The term is primarily used in the legal context and is associated with defamation, which is the act of making false statements or spreading rumors about someone that can harm their character, integrity, or standing in society. Defamatory statements tend to be deliberately false and malicious, often made with the intent to defame, discredit, or tarnish the reputation of the subject.

   When a statement is deemed defamatory, it means that it has the potential to cause harm to the reputation of the person or entity it is directed towards. Such statements can take many forms, including spoken words, written communication, gestures, or any other means of expression. Laws regarding defamation vary across jurisdictions, but in general, for a statement to be considered defamatory, it must be false, make a factual assertion, and be communicated to a third party.

   Defamation is usually classified into two categories: slander, which refers to spoken defamatory statements, and libel, which involves written or printed defamatory statements. Both slander and libel are considered civil offenses, and victims of defamation may seek legal remedies, such as monetary compensation or injunctive relief, to restore their reputation. However, the burden of proof lies with the victim, who must demonstrate that the statement made about them is false, and that it has indeed caused harm to their reputation.

2. • Slanderous.

   • False and injurious to reputation: slanderous.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DEFAMATORY *

• defamtory 25%
• defamitory 25%
• deflammatory 25%
• deformatory 25%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEFAMATORY

• defammatory
• decimatory
• deffamitory
• deflamatory
• sefamatory
• defimator
• dequamatory
• desqumatory
• Defearatory
• Denudatory
• defimitory
• defomatory
• defumatary

Etymology of DEFAMATORY

The word "defamatory" originated from the Latin word "diffāmāre", which is derived from the combination of two Latin words: "dis", meaning "away" or "apart", and "fāma", meaning "reputation" or "fame". Therefore, "diffāmāre" meant "to spread harmful reports about someone" or "to speak ill of someone". It eventually evolved into the Old French word "diffamer", which carried a similar meaning. Through the influence of French, "diffamer" entered Middle English as "defame". Over time, the suffix "-tory" was added to the word, indicating the nature of an action or result, resulting in the formation of "defamatory".

Similar spelling words for DEFAMATORY

• deviometer,
• deaf-mute,
• defamation,
• tvimadur,
• dormitory.