Slanders

To *slander* means to make a false and defamatory spoken statement about someone. It involves damaging a person's reputation through untrue assertions. The intention is often to harm, defame, or diminish the individual's standing in the community, workplace, or social circle. Slander can be a serious legal offense, potentially leading to lawsuits and significant financial repercussions for those who spread such falsehoods. It's the act of spreading malicious and untrue rumors or accusations, which are then heard by a third party. The impact on the victim can be devastating, affecting their personal relationships, professional opportunities, and overall well-being. The critical element distinguishing slander from other forms of defamation is that the defamatory statement is *spoken* rather than written (which is termed libel).

Slanders meaning with examples

• The gossiping neighbor's constant slanders about Mrs. Gable eventually caused the woman to be isolated from her friends at the country club, as people refused to associate with her based on the neighbor's made-up stories. The damage to her social standing was substantial, even though she tried to deny the claims. It was a sad situation for her reputation.
• During the heated political campaign, rival candidates resorted to slanders in debates and TV commercials, spreading accusations about the opponent's financial dealings to the press. Many voters became confused as they did not know who to believe in the news. The nasty tactics polarized the electorate, undermining public trust and generating hostility.
• Driven by jealousy, the disgruntled ex-employee launched a series of slanders against his former boss, claiming the boss stole client payments, to sabotage their business. These false accusations spread quickly through their professional network, damaging the company's reputation and causing customers to cancel contracts, as rumors flourished.
• In the medieval courtroom, the accused often used the method of slanders to counter their opposition by providing the jury with the opponent's bad habits. This strategy often swayed the juries towards a guilty verdict, as many of them were easily susceptible to rumor-mongering, leading to unjust decisions and legal battles.
• The tabloid media is notorious for publishing slanders about celebrities, inventing scandalous details about their personal lives to sell magazines. The false information often causes the victims great emotional distress and impacts their career opportunities. Some lawsuits have been filed with varying levels of success, but more frequently, nothing can be done.