What is slander defined as?

Slander is specifically defined as making false statements about someone that can harm their reputation. This definition is crucial because it underscores the distinction between truth and falsehood in the context of defamation. While truthful statements are protected under the First Amendment, slander involves the dissemination of misinformation that can lead to personal and professional damage for the individual being targeted.

In the context of the other choices, telling the truth about someone does not involve slander since truth is a defense against defamation claims. Winning a legal case is unrelated to the definition of slander; it pertains more to the outcome of litigation rather than the nature of defamatory statements. Publishing private information, while potentially linked to other forms of defamation, such as invasion of privacy, is distinct from slander, which focuses specifically on spoken falsehoods. Therefore, understanding slander as making false statements is essential in recognizing how it can affect individuals' lives and reputations within the legal framework.