slandering

Slandering refers to the act of making false statements about another person to a third party with the intention or effect of harming that person’s reputation. It is a form of defamation, typically distinguished from libel, which concerns written or published statements, whereas slander concerns spoken statements.

Core elements commonly recognized in defamation law include: a false statement of fact about the plaintiff; publication or communication of that statement to someone other than the plaintiff; and harm to the plaintiff’s reputation, often accompanied by fault such as negligence or actual malice, though the required level of fault varies by jurisdiction. Some claims distinguish between slander per se, statements deemed inherently damaging (for example, alleging a crime or professional incompetence), and slander per quod, which become defamatory only with additional context.

Defenses to slander commonly include truth (a complete defense), which defeats the claim by showing the statement was true; opinion or commentary that cannot be proven true or false; and privilege, which covers certain statements made in specific settings (such as during official proceedings or within certain relationships). Consent and statute-of-limitations rules may also limit liability.

Remedies for slander typically involve civil damages intended to compensate for harm to reputation, and may include injunctions, retractions, or apologies. In some jurisdictions, defendants may face punitive damages if malice is proven. The specifics of what constitutes slander, acceptable defenses, and available remedies vary by jurisdiction and governing law.