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• n  one who attacks the reputation of another by slander or libel

• Beyond "reckless disregard," the court added the necessity of proving that the libeler "entertained serious doubt" about the truth of his accusation.
• The FCC expressed its bureaucratic regrets, but insisted that if a candidate libels his opponent or anyone else, the station must take its chances in court with the libeler.

• defamer
• maligner
• slanderer
• vilifier
• backbiter
• traducer