as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
warned that the constant vilification of candidates for public office was undermining the people's faith in the political system
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of vilification
Next, the pop star, 25, opened up about how incorporating her sexuality into her work has resulted in some of the vilification that Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera have experienced over the years.
—
Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024
What does not help, in any way, is the vilification of people who do not have children.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
Unwarranted vilification of the armed forces threatens the United States’ military capabilities.
—Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2021
The Virology authors warn that the vilification of scientists whose research supports the zoonosis hypothesis will leave society defenseless when the next pandemic threat emerges.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vilification 
Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024
What does not help, in any way, is the vilification of people who do not have children.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
Unwarranted vilification of the armed forces threatens the United States’ military capabilities.
—Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2021
The Virology authors warn that the vilification of scientists whose research supports the zoonosis hypothesis will leave society defenseless when the next pandemic threat emerges.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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What the lawsuit says: Baldoni, in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday, accuses Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
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Young is accusing the network of defamation and libel.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Defamation trials are rare in the U.S. due to constitutional protections for the press, which make proving libel difficult.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
9 Jan. 2025
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Lively sued Baldoni for mental pain and anguish, severe emotional distress, and lost wages; Baldoni sued the New York Times for libel, alleging that the publication defamed him with its piece about the alleged PR campaign against Lively.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
4 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Comments Holker made to PEOPLE in a Jan. 7 interview triggered the wave of criticism.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
9 Jan. 2025
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The criticism is somewhat reminiscent of Texans slamming Sen. Ted Cruz for fleeing to Cancun during a statewide freeze and power loss disaster in 2021.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near vilification
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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