What does defamatorily mean?
Defamatorily is an adverb meaning in a manner that defames another person, especially by publishing false statements that damage their reputation. It is most common in legal, journalistic, and formal critical contexts, where writers distinguish an accusation or description from a defamatory characterization. For example, a report might say that a newspaper defamatorily portrayed a politician as corrupt. The word carries a strongly negative connotation because it implies more than merely expressing a negative opinion: it suggests an attack on someone's good name. Although often used in discussions of defamation law, defamatorily does not by itself establish that every legal element of defamation has been met, and the term remains intelligible outside courtrooms. It is a useful precision word for describing conduct that attacks reputation rather than simply offering criticism.
adverbIn a defamatory manner, especially by publishing false statements intended to damage someone's reputation.
- In a manner intended or calculated to damage someone's reputation, especially through false statements.
"The newspaper was accused of defamatorily portraying the senator as having accepted a bribe."
"The newspaper was accused of defamatorily portraying the senator as having accepted a bribe."
"The judge ruled that the statement had been made defamatorily, with the clear aim of damaging the witness's reputation."
Defamatorily is the sharpest way to say that words were aimed at someone's good name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does defamatorily come from?
Defamatorily was formed in English with the adverbial suffix -ly, attached to defamatory. Defamatory belongs to the English family of defame and defamation, ultimately derived from Latin diffamare, meaning “to disgrace” or “dishonour,” formed from dis- and fama, meaning “reputation” or “report.” The Latin sense of damaging a person's good name underlies the word's modern legal and reputational associations.
Related word forms
How defamatorily is actually used
This is a formal and sometimes legal term. It is more evaluative and intent-tinged than merely saying that someone made a harsh criticism, but use of the word alone does not establish every element of a legal claim for defamation.
Easily confused with defamatorily
Defamatory is an adjective describing a statement or act, whereas defamatorily is the adverb describing the manner in which something is done.