noun. animosity or resentment felt toward another.

Some common synonyms of ill will are grudge, malevolence, malice, malignity, spite, and spleen. While all these words mean “the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress,” ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration.

: feelings of anger or resentment Her comment caused some ill feeling/feelings.

To show actual malice, plaintiffs must demonstrate [that the defendant] either knew his statement was false or subjectively entertained serious doubt his statement was truthful. The question is not whether a reasonably prudent man would have published, or would have investigated before publishing.

Formal Legal Definition of Actual Malice in the Defamation Context: A person considered a public figure must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the statement was made with actual malice, which means falsity (knowing the statement to be false) or a reckless disregard for its truth.

Defamation of character occurs when someone makes a false statement about you to a third party that is damaging to your reputation. Defamation of character law is designed to protect and compensate individuals and business from having their character and reputation improperly damaged by untrue defamatory statements.

To prove prima facie defamation, a plaintiff must show four things: 1) a false statement purporting to be fact; 2) publication or communication of that statement to a third person; 3) fault amounting to at least negligence; and 4) damages, or some harm caused to the person or entity who is the subject of the statement.

To prevail in a defamation lawsuit, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant made a false and defamatory statement about the plaintiff that was communicated to a third party. Thus, a false and objectionable statement sent in an email to the plaintiff’s co-worker may be libelous.

An example of a defamatory statement may be an accusation made against a public official—such as a claim that he or she took a bribe or committed a crime, assuming the allegation is presented as fact. An accusation of “police brutality” or immorality may also be defamatory.

I would like to bring it to your notice that certain employees of your organization have been spreading false information about me. There have been repeated attacks on my character and reputation. There have statements made by your employees against my character and the way I conduct business.

How to File a Defamation Lawsuit

1. Step 1 – Gather the False Statements.
2. Step 2 – Show the Statement is Inaccurate.
3. Step 3 – Write the Cease and Desist Letter.
4. Step 4 – Claiming Damages.
5. Step 5 – Prepare and File the Lawsuit.

A plaintiff in a defamation case is entitled to receive damages for any lost earnings, future lost earning capacity, and other lost business or economic opportunities that he/she suffered or is likely to suffer as a result of the defamatory statement.

Libel and slander are types of defamatory statements. Libel is a defamatory statement that is written. Slander is a defamatory statement that is oral.

Perhaps the most common negative consequence of a defamatory statement is harm to your professional reputation. If you’re a local businessperson and someone makes a false statement about you to others, indicating that you did something dishonest, that might cause your customers to take their business elsewhere.

English Language Learners Definition of libelous : containing an untrue written statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone. See the full definition for libelous in the English Language Learners Dictionary. libelous. adjective. li·​bel·​ous.

Although libel or defamation is now primarily a civil claim, it once was primarily a criminal offense, prosecuted by the government and punishable by imprisonment or a fine.

To establish a character defamation case, you must show:

1. The statement was not substantially true.
2. You can identify who made the false statement.
3. The person knowingly or recklessly made a false statement.
4. The statement was published (verbally or in writing) to someone other than you.
5. The false statement harmed you.