False and malicious use of spoken words is known as what?

The correct answer, which is slander, refers specifically to the false and malicious use of spoken words that can harm someone's reputation. In legal terms, slander is a type of defamation but is differentiated from libel, which pertains to false statements made in a written or published format.

In the context of defamation, slander involves oral statements that can be damaging to an individual's character or reputation. For instance, if someone falsely accuses another person of unethical behavior in a spoken conversation, that could constitute slander if it meets specific legal criteria.

While defamation encompasses both slander and libel, the question specifically highlights spoken words, making slander the most applicable term. Malpractice, on the other hand, relates to negligent or improper conduct by professionals, particularly in a medical or dental context, and is not relevant to the false spoken statements described in the question.