---
title: "Slander"
type: Legal Term
source: https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/slander
---

# Slander

Slander is the form of defamation that occurs through spoken words or transient gestures. Unlike libel, slander generally requires proof of special damages — actual, quantifiable economic loss — unless it falls within the slander per se categories. Slander per se covers false statements imputing a serious crime, a loathsome disease, unfitness in one's business or profession, or serious sexual misconduct. In slander per se cases, damages are presumed.

## Related Terms

- defamation
- libel
- freedom-of-speech

## Related Cases

- new-york-times-v-sullivan

## Example

A person falsely tells a group of colleagues that a coworker embezzles company funds. This spoken accusation of a serious crime constitutes slander per se.

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Source: [Slander — CaseBriefly](https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/slander)