Defames (6)
I believe the answer is:
libels
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">defames</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(libeling is a kind of defaming)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for libels that I've seen before include "Slanders in writing" , "Publishes false and damaging statement about a person" .)