Which term refers to the act of making false statements that harm someone's reputation?

The term that refers to the act of making false statements that harm someone's reputation is best captured by "defamation." Defamation is a legal term that encompasses any statement that unjustly harms someone's good name, reputation, or standing in the community. It can take two forms: libel, which refers specifically to written defamatory statements, and slander, which refers to spoken defamatory remarks.

In this context, since the definition is broad enough to include both written and spoken forms, "defamation" is the most accurate choice. Understanding defamation is important in maintaining professional integrity and compliance with legal standards, as it underscores the seriousness of false statements and their potential impact on individuals and organizations.

The other terms provided don’t accurately reflect the meaning needed for this question. Libel refers specifically to the written form of defamation and would not encompass all instances of harm to reputation. Assault involves causing physical harm to someone, which is unrelated to reputational harm. Fraud typically pertains to deceit meant to secure unfair or unlawful gain, which also does not directly address issues of reputation.