What is the primary characteristic of slander?

The primary characteristic of slander is making false statements orally. Slander specifically refers to the act of defaming someone through spoken words, which can harm the reputation of an individual or entity. For a statement to be considered slanderous, it must be false and communicated to a third party, causing damage to the subject's reputation.

In contrast, the other choices pertain to different aspects of defamation or legal concepts. Publishing false information is more aligned with libel, which involves written or published defamatory statements. Revealing confidential material typically pertains to breach of confidentiality laws rather than defamation. Committing an intentional tort refers to a broader category of wrongful acts that are done on purpose, which could include slander but is not specific to it. Therefore, the focus on oral communication as the defining feature directly aligns with the legal understanding of slander.