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Accusation vs Libel - What's the difference?

accusation | libel |

In legal|lang=en terms the difference between accusation and libel

is that accusation is (legal) a formal charge brought against a person in a court of law while libel is (legal) to proceed against (a ship, goods, etc) by filing a libel.

As nouns the difference between accusation and libel

is that accusation is the act of accusing while libel is a written or pictorial statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.

As a verb libel is

to defame someone, especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel.

accusation

English

Alternative forms

* (obsolete) accusasiowne * (obsolete) accusacion

Noun

(en noun)
  • The act of accusing.
  • *
  • (legal) A formal charge brought against a person in a court of law.
  • [They] set up over his head his accusation - Matthew 27:37
  • An allegation.
  • Synonyms

    * impeachment * crimination * censure * charge

    Anagrams

    * ----

    libel

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A written or pictorial statement which unjustly seeks to damage someone's reputation.
  • (uncountable) The act or crime of displaying such a statement publicly.
  • Any defamatory writing; a lampoon; a satire.
  • (law) A written declaration or statement by the plaintiff of his cause of action, and of the relief he seeks.
  • A brief writing of any kind, especially a declaration, bill, certificate, request, supplication, etc.
  • (Chaucer)
  • * Wyclif Bible (Matthew v. 31)
  • a libel of forsaking [divorcement]

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Verb

  • To defame someone, especially in a manner that meets the legal definition of libel.
  • He libelled her when he published that.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Some wicked wits have libelled all the fair.
  • (legal) To proceed against (a ship, goods, etc.) by filing a libel.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * blood libel * libelant * libel chill * libelee * libeler * libelist * libelous

    See also

    * defamation * defame * slander

    Anagrams

    * ----