Which term refers to knowingly making false statements aimed at harming another's reputation?

Which term refers to knowingly making false statements aimed at harming another's reputation?

• A. Fraud
• B. Defamation
• C. Slander
• D. Libel

Answer: (B)

Defamation is the act of making false statements about someone that damage their reputation. It covers statements made to others with the intention (or at least the effect) of harming how others view that person. Slander and libel are specific types of defamation: slander is spoken, libel is written. Fraud, on the other hand, involves deceiving someone for financial or other gain and isn’t primarily about harming someone’s reputation. So the best answer is defamation because it is the broad term that includes false statements intended to hurt someone’s reputation, whether spoken or written.

Defamation is the act of making false statements about someone that damage their reputation. It covers statements made to others with the intention (or at least the effect) of harming how others view that person. Slander and libel are specific types of defamation: slander is spoken, libel is written. Fraud, on the other hand, involves deceiving someone for financial or other gain and isn’t primarily about harming someone’s reputation. So the best answer is defamation because it is the broad term that includes false statements intended to hurt someone’s reputation, whether spoken or written.