libellousadj.
/ˈlʌɪbl̩əs/, /ˈlʌɪbələs/, U.S. /ˈlaɪbələs/ Containing or constituting a libel, of the nature of a libel: also, engaged upon libels.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > slander or calumny > [adjective] > specifically of words or writings
slanderous1429
slanderful1453
injurious1484
famous1543
disgraceful1605
scandalousa1616
libellous1619
defamable1918
1619 Visct. Doncaster Let. in S. R. Gardiner Lett. Relations Eng. & Germany (1865) 1st Ser. 138 A libellous booke.
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1953) I. 308 An itching ear, delighting in the libellous defamation of other men.
1693 in Wood's Life (1848) 374 The clauses and sentences..pretending to be reflecting and libellous upon Edward late earl of Clarendon.
1772 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra I. Pref. p. xvi The paper..contained no treasonable or libellous matter.
1809–10 S. T. Coleridge Friend (1865) 53 The publication of actual facts may be..criminal and libellous, when directed against private characters.
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. iv. 222 The libellous pen of Martin Mar-prelate.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xv. 153 It seemed hardly less libellous in him to imagine her grown a woman.
Derivatives
ˈlibellously adv.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > slander or calumny > [adverb]
noisingly1426
slanderously1429
slanderfully1550
defamously1563
defamedly1567
backbitingly1580
abusively?1593
disgracefully1604
calumniously1625
contumeliously1632
reflectingly1643
slanderingly1648
aspersively1653
defamatorily1659
vilifyingly1682
reflexivelya1716
libellously1832
1832 L. Hunt Sir Ralph Esher I. viii. 177 The phrase..was first given him libellously by Lord Rochester.
1865 Sat. Rev. 5 Aug. 168/2 Certain naturalists..libellously represented Aristotle as saying that goats breathed through their ears.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1619