Which term refers to spoken defamation?

Slander refers specifically to spoken defamation, which occurs when one party makes false and damaging statements about another in a verbal format. The key aspect of slander is that it must be communicated verbally, leading to a loss of reputation or harm to the individual in the eyes of the public.

In the realm of defamation, the term associated with written or published statements is libel, which addresses similar harms but through written communication. Meanwhile, negligence involves failing to exercise reasonable care, which may or may not lead to harm, and malpractice pertains to professional negligence in fields like healthcare or law. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify that slander is the term that specifically addresses harmful verbal statements.