to slander

verb
  1. To make false and damaging statements about someone, typically spoken rather than written, with the intent to harm their reputation. verb
    She decided to sue her former employer for attempting to slander her in the industry.
    The politician accused his opponent of trying to slander him during the campaign.
  2. The action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation. noun
    He was found guilty of slander after spreading lies about his neighbor.
    The celebrity filed a lawsuit for slander against the tabloid that published the false story.