What type of misconduct does 'slander' refer to?

Slander refers specifically to spoken defamation, which occurs when an individual makes a false spoken statement about another person that can harm that person's reputation. For slander to be actionable, the statement must be made in a context that can be proven to be false and damaging.

To clarify further, defamation encompasses both slander and libel; slander pertains to verbal statements, while libel refers to written statements that cause harm. This distinction is crucial in legal studies, as it informs how different forms of defamation are treated under the law. Understanding slander is essential because it addresses not only the nature of the statement but also the potential repercussions for the person making the statement if the victim chooses to pursue legal action.