Libelant is a legally inclined term that refers to a person who commences a lawsuit by filing a libel or defamation claim. In other words, libelant is synonymous with plaintiff, claimant, or petitioner. These terms often indicate a person who is looking for compensation or legal recourse for harm to reputation, character, or business resulting from the defamatory action of another. Other synonyms in the legal field include complainant and suitor. Essentially, any person who initiates a legal action against another entity, individual, or organization seeking redress for harm done can be associated with the term libelant.