What is slander?

Slander specifically refers to the act of making a false spoken statement that harms someone's reputation. It is a legal term used to describe verbal defamation, where an untrue statement is communicated to a third party and results in damage to the person's good name or standing in the community.

Understanding this definition helps clarify why the other choices do not capture the essence of slander. The creation of false written statements pertains to libel rather than slander, while spreading rumors or insulting someone verbally, especially in private, doesn't necessarily involve making a false statement or addressing its impact on someone's reputation. Therefore, identifying slander as a form of spoken defamation allows one to distinguish it from other similar concepts in the realm of personal reputation management.