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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

libel

/ˈlaɪbəl/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:57
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What does libel mean?

noun

  1. A written or pictorial false statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.
  2. The act or tort of displaying such a statement publicly.
  3. Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire.
More meanings (4)

noun

  1. A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of their cause of action, and of the relief they seek.
  2. A brief writing of any kind, especially a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, etc.

verb

  1. To defame (someone), especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel.
  2. To proceed against (goods, a ship, etc.) by filing a legal claim.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈlaɪbəl/

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Hutchinson tried to induce the grand jury to indict Warren for libel on account of this intemperate attack.
John Clark Ridpath; G. Mercer (Graeme Mercer) Adam; Charles K. (Charles Keyser) EdmundsJames Otis, the Pre-RevolutionistProject Gutenberg ebook #722
But today the flattery turns into a sort of libel, and she resents it, or, at all events, does not welcome it.
H. L. (Henry Louis) MenckenIn Defense of WomenProject Gutenberg ebook #1270
More book examples (2)
If he speaks, he is guilty of a sort of libel on his brother-electors, who are hereby implicitly reproached by him for their impenetrableness and cowardice.
William GodwinThoughts on Man, His Nature, Productions and Discoveries Interspersed with Some Particulars Respecting the AuthorProject Gutenberg ebook #743
We are not here considering people to whom truth is an utter stranger, who are fundamentally liars and whose very existence is a libel on mankind.
Hans GrossCriminal Psychology: A Manual for Judges, Practitioners, and StudentsTranslated by Horace Meyer KallenProject Gutenberg ebook #1320