How to say "libel" in Japanese

• 中傷ちゅうしょうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe common word for damaging someone's reputation with false or malicious statements, spoken or written; for 'libel' or 'slander' in ordinary contexts this is usually what you want.
  ※基本的きほんてきな禁止事項きんしじこう（誹謗ひぼう・中傷ちゅうしょうの禁止きんし等とう）は「はじめにお読よみ下ください」に記載きさいしてあります。必かならずお読よみください。↗

  * The basic prohibitions (No slander, libel, etc.) are noted in the "Read me first." Please be sure to read it.
• 讒謗ざんぼう
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA less common synonym of 中傷 with the same meaning of slander and defamation; for everyday purposes it is seldom the word you want.
• 名誉毀損めいよきそん
  nounIn legal contexts this is the term for defamation — use it for lawsuits, complaints and news stories about damage to someone's reputation.
  その女優じょゆうは雑誌ざっしを名誉めいよき損そんで訴うったえた。↗

  The actress sued the magazine for libel.
• そしる
  godan verb, transitive verbA verb, for when you need 'to libel' or 'to slander' as an action; it also stretches to plain 'criticize', so it is broader than the noun terms and is usually written in kana.
• 誹毀ひき
  noun, suru verbA less common word for defamation, libel and calumny; in meaning it overlaps with the others, but it is rarely encountered and seldom the word you need.

Use 中傷 for defamatory attacks in general and 名誉毀損 in legal contexts; 「そしる」 serves the verb 'to libel', while 讒謗 and 誹毀 are less common synonyms rarely needed.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 中傷ちゅうしょうslander
• 讒謗ざんぼうlibel
• 名誉毀損めいよきそんlibel
• そしるto slander
• 誹毀ひきdefamation
• 名誉毀損罪めいよきそんざい(crime of) defamation
• 誹謗中傷ひぼうちゅうしょうslander