To injure, attack or destroy the good name or reputation of someone by falsehoods or unfairness; to slander (verb)
Looking for the answer to the USA Today Rootonym clue “To injure, attack or destroy the good name or reputation of someone by falsehoods or unfairness; to slander (verb)”? The solution is DEFAME, a 6-letter word built on the root FAM (“repute, report, public opinion”). It appeared in the June 12, 2026 (Friday) USA Today Rootonym. See the full puzzle for that day's other words.
In a sentence
If prosecutors attempt to DEFAME the defendant, witnesses will swear their testimony is false.
About this clue
The Rootonym clue “To injure, attack or destroy the good name or reputation of someone by falsehoods or unfairness; to slander (verb)” has the answer DEFAME (6 letters), built on the root FAM, which means “repute, report, public opinion”. Browse the full June 12, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or see all Rootonym answers.