Libel, defamation, and slander all involve the intentional spreading of untrue statements about a person to harm their reputation. Libel refers to untrue written statements, while slander refers to untrue oral statements. Defamation is a broad term that includes both libel and slander, and it can be both a criminal and civil offense. Though similar, libel, defamation, and slander differ based on whether the harmful statements are written or spoken. All three aim to damage a person's reputation through false information.