What does it mean to "defame" someone?

To "defame" someone essentially means to damage that person's reputation through false or misleading statements. This act can result in significant personal, professional, and social consequences for the individual being defamed. The core principle behind defamation is the idea that spreading untrue information can harm a person's standing within the community or industry, potentially leading to a loss of employment, relationships, or social status.

Defamation encompasses both spoken statements, known as slander, and written statements, referred to as libel. Legal actions for defamation aim to address the wrong done to an individual's reputation and seek remedies such as retraction, apology, or monetary damages to compensate for the harm incurred.

The other options focus on positively reinforcing someone's reputation or providing support and protection, which does not align with the definition of defamation. Thus, understanding that defamation involves harmful intent toward someone's reputation clarifies its significance and implications in both legal and social contexts.