What is the term for spoken defamation against another person?

Slander refers specifically to the act of making false spoken statements that damage another person's reputation. This term is distinct from other forms of defamation, as it pertains only to verbal communication, contrasting with libel, which encompasses written defamatory statements. Defamation is a broader legal term that includes both slander and libel, signifying any statement, whether spoken or written, that unjustly harms someone's reputation. Fraud, on the other hand, involves deception intended to secure unfair or unlawful gain, and it is not related to defamation. Understanding these distinctions is essential for comprehending how legal concepts like spoken vs. written defamatory acts are classified in law.