Malicious defamation refers to the act of making false and harmful statements about someone with the intent to damage their reputation. Synonyms for this term include slander, libel, character assassination, defamation of character, calumny, and vilification. Slander refers to spoken malicious statements, while libel refers to written or published statements. Character assassination implies a deliberate and intentional attack on someone's reputation. Defamation of character is a more formal term used in legal contexts. Calumny and vilification refer to the spreading of false and damaging rumors about someone. Regardless of the term used, malicious defamation is unethical and can have serious consequences for both the accused and the accuser.