slander

A false or unsupported, malicious statement (spoken, not written), especially one which is injurious to a person's reputation; the making of such a statement.

Words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another

An abusive attack on a person's character or good name

To utter a slanderous statement about; baselessly speak ill of.

Charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone

“The journalists have defamed me!”

“The article in the paper sullied my reputation”