California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA) Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Question: 1 / 400

What is a false statement that harms another person's reputation called?

Slander

The term that refers to a false statement that harms another person's reputation is "defamation." Defamation encompasses both slander and libel; it is the overarching term that describes any false statement made about a person that can damage their reputation.

Slander specifically refers to defamatory statements made in a transient form, particularly spoken words. In contrast, libel refers to written or published defamatory statements. Therefore, while slander is a form of defamation, it does not encompass all cases of reputational harm, which is why "defamation" is the correct and most general term to use in this context.

Calumny is a term that is synonymous with slander and refers to the act of making false statements to damage someone else's reputation, but it is less commonly used in legal terms compared to slander and libel.

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Defamation

Calumny

Libel

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