vilify

verb

ˈvi-lə-ˌfī How to pronounce vilify (audio)
Definition of vilifynext
as in to libel
to make untrue and harmful statements about claimed that she had been vilified by the press because of her conservative views

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vilify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vilify are asperse, calumniate, defame, malign, slander, and traduce. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

Where would asperse be a reasonable alternative to vilify?

The synonyms asperse and vilify are sometimes interchangeable, but asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

When is calumniate a more appropriate choice than vilify?

While the synonyms calumniate and vilify are close in meaning, calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

When would defame be a good substitute for vilify?

Although the words defame and vilify have much in common, defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When could malign be used to replace vilify?

The words malign and vilify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

When might slander be a better fit than vilify?

The meanings of slander and vilify largely overlap; however, slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

When can traduce be used instead of vilify?

While in some cases nearly identical to vilify, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vilify Despite the allegations against him, there was an outpouring of support and love for Rieger and his family, both before and after his death, some vilifying the boys who told law enforcement they were abused. —Kate Cimini, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025 There’s no shortage of video, transcripts and legislative action in which Rubio defends democratic principles such as freedom of assembly and vilifies countries that repress those freedoms. —Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2025 Librarians said they felt vilified by some residents who called them pedophiles and groomers in public and online. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025 Trump’s presidential campaign spent about $215 million on advertising that vilified transgender Americans, according to the lawsuit. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vilify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilify
  1. libel
  2. smear
  3. humiliate
  4. discredit
  5. defame
Verb
  • As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
    — George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
    — Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of libel
Verb
  • By that point the sweatshirt was smeared with their many flavors on offer: chocolate, pistachio and Biscoff.
    — Kiana Hayeri, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Assailants have stalked them in public and smeared them online.
    — Cora Engelbrecht, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of smear
Verb
  • Trump World even humiliated Abe by letting it be known that Abe had nominated the U.S. leader for a Nobel Peace Prize.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The temptation for Russia to humiliate London and Paris - by breaking any ceasefire with an attack carried out hundreds of miles away from British and French troops stuck in the capital - could prove hard to resist.
    — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of humiliate
Verb
  • His tariffs were not based on the import taxes charged by other countries but by the size of each trade deficit, a calculation that instantly discredited the policy with many economists and investors.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Bolsonaro’s efforts to discredit the election had already found allies abroad.
    — Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of discredit
Verb
  • The network is still fighting another lawsuit from voting machine firm Dominion Voting Systems, which sued the company for $1.6 billion in damages in August 2021, alleging that Newsmax defamed Dominion in its coverage of the 2020 election.
    — Giacomo Tognini, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • In January, Baldwin filed a lawsuit alleging prosecutors violated his civil rights and defamed him.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of defame

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Cite this Entry

“Vilify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilify. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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