Knowingly making false statements which are derogatory against and meant solely to injure another is called ______.

Knowingly making false statements which are derogatory against and meant solely to injure another is called ______.

• A. Fraud
• B. Misrepresentation
• C. Defamation
• D. Libel

Answer: (C)

Defamation is false statements about someone that harm that person’s reputation. The description fits defamation because it describes false, derogatory remarks aimed at injuring another’s reputation. If those false statements are written, they’re libel; if spoken, they’re slander. Misrepresentation and fraud involve deceiving someone to gain a financial or contractual advantage, not simply harming someone’s reputation, so defamation is the best fit here.

Defamation is false statements about someone that harm that person’s reputation. The description fits defamation because it describes false, derogatory remarks aimed at injuring another’s reputation. If those false statements are written, they’re libel; if spoken, they’re slander. Misrepresentation and fraud involve deceiving someone to gain a financial or contractual advantage, not simply harming someone’s reputation, so defamation is the best fit here.