Legal Definitions - Slander

Definition: Slander is when someone says something untrue about another person that harms their reputation. This is different from libel, which is when someone writes or publishes something untrue about another person. In a slander case, the person who was harmed must prove that they suffered damages because of the false statement.

• A person tells others that their neighbor is a thief, even though they have no evidence to support this claim.
• During a political campaign, one candidate spreads rumors about their opponent's personal life that are not true.

These examples illustrate how slander can harm a person's reputation and cause them to suffer damages. In the first example, the neighbor may lose friends or business opportunities because of the false accusation. In the second example, the candidate's reputation may be damaged, causing them to lose votes or support.