Bar Exam Practice 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The primary definition of defamation encompasses the act of making false statements about someone that damage their reputation. This definition aligns with the notion that defamation involves a false assertion of fact that is communicated to a third party and results in reputational harm to the subject of the statement.

In this context, the emphasis is on the element of falsity; a true statement cannot be considered defamatory regardless of the potential negative impact it may have on someone's reputation. Thus, it is critical to understand that for a statement to be classified as defamation, it must be both untrue and harmful.

The other options highlight scenarios that do not fit the legal definition of defamation. Truthful speech is not actionable as defamation, even if it causes harm. Sharing private information without consent relates more to the invasion of privacy rather than defamation. Similarly, statements that are opinion-based are generally protected under free speech doctrines and are not classified as defamatory unless they imply a false assertion of fact.