名誉毀損(めいよきそん)

めいよきそん
noun
defamation; libel; slander
formallegallawabstract
1. defamation; libel; slander; damage to one's reputation
The act of harming someone's reputation through false statements, whether spoken or written. Also used as a legal term for defamation of character.
名誉毀損(めいよきそん)で訴(うった)える。
To sue for defamation.
SNSでの発言(はつげん)が名誉毀損(めいよきそん)にあたる可能性(かのうせい)がある。
Statements on social media may constitute defamation.
事実(じじつ)でないことを公(おおやけ)に広(ひろ)めると、名誉毀損(めいよきそん)として罪(つみ)に問(と)われることがある。
Publicly spreading untrue information can lead to criminal charges of defamation.

Usage

A legal and formal term. In Japan, 名誉毀損(めいよきそん) can be both a criminal offense (名誉毀損罪(めいよきそんざい)) and grounds for civil lawsuit. Unlike in some countries, even true statements can constitute defamation in Japan if they damage someone's reputation without justification.

Common collocations

  • 名誉毀損(めいよきそん)で訴(うった)える (to sue for defamation)
  • 名誉毀損(めいよきそん)罪(ざい) (crime of defamation)
  • 名誉毀損(めいよきそん)にあたる (to constitute defamation)
  • 名誉毀損(めいよきそん)訴訟(そしょう) (defamation lawsuit)

Related Words

Related: 名誉(めいよ) (honor, reputation)
Compare: 名誉回復(めいよかいふく) (restoration of honor)
Compare: 不敬罪(ふけいざい) (lese-majeste)
general
Added 2026.3.19 15:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17500/17874_meiyokison