“Liable” vs. “Libel”: What’s the Difference?
Jun 9, 2023
Engram
The difference between “liable” and “libel”
- The main difference between liable and libel is that liable pertains to legal responsibility, whereas libel pertains to a specific type of defamation.
- Liable can be used in both criminal and civil courts, while libel is always a civil offense.
- Liable can apply to anything that puts someone at risk of being held accountable, while libel specifically involves damaging falsehoods that are published.
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What is the definition of “liable” and “libel”?
Liable
- Liable means legally responsible.
- It is used to describe someone or something that could be held accountable for a particular act or outcome.
- Liable can be used in both civil and criminal cases.
Libel
- Libel refers to a published false statement that harms someone's reputation.
- It is a type of defamation that involves written or printed material.
- Libel is a civil offense and can result in a lawsuit seeking damages.
Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?
“Liable” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Liable
266,000,000 results on the web
Examples
- As a business owner, you are liable for the safety of your employees.
- If you break the law, you are liable to be fined or imprisoned.
- Parents are liable for the actions of their underage children.
Libel
16,000,000 results on the web
Examples
- The newspaper printed a libelous story about the politician, damaging her reputation.
- You could be sued for libel if you publish false and damaging information about someone.
- The celebrity won a libel case against a tabloid magazine for printing false and defamatory information.
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