At least 10 women accused Mr. Trump of sexual misconduct during the presidential campaign in 2016.

“When Carroll’s account of what had happened to her was published, Donald Trump not only denied the rape, but denied ever having met Carroll or knowing who she was,” said Robbie Kaplan, a lawyer for Ms. Carroll. “But Trump knew his statements were false and defamatory — he knew who Carroll was that day at Bergdorf Goodman and he knows who she is now.”

Mr. Trump, who also suggested that Ms. Carroll was conspiring with the Democratic Party to hurt him politically, “injured the reputation on which she makes her livelihood and attracts readers,” the lawsuit states.

Ms. Carroll said in the lawsuit that readers no longer wanted to write to a woman the president had branded a liar and that her column had received 50 percent fewer letters from readers.

Mr. Trump’s lawyer, Marc E. Kasowitz, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ms. Carroll disclosed the alleged attack, which she said happened in late 1995 or early 1996, in a book and spoke publicly about it. She said that she was leaving Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury department store on Fifth Avenue, when she saw Mr. Trump entering the store.

The two had met once before and traveled in the same media circles, she said. At the time, Ms. Carroll was the host of a daily television show and a frequent guest on NBC’s “Today” show.

Mr. Trump, she said, stopped her and said, “Hey, you’re that advice lady!”

Mr. Trump then told her he was looking for a gift for a woman and asked Ms. Carroll to help him. Ms. Carroll suggested several items before Mr. Trump decided on lingerie, the lawsuit stated.

Mr. Trump spotted a lilac bodysuit and insisted Ms. Carroll try it on, to which she suggested that he try it on. According to the lawsuit, Mr. Trump grabbed Ms. Carroll by the arm, walked her over to the dressing room and said, “Let’s put this on.”