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
  • Please ask your daughter to stop libeling Miss Manners.
    — Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of libel
Verb
  • Martin and a companion on April 27, 2023, entered the Washington, DC, museum and smeared washable red and black paint on the case protecting Edgar Degas’s 1881 Little Dancer Aged Fourteen in an effort to bring attention to the climate crisis.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Timothy Martin smeared red and black paint on a case shielding a nearly 150-year-old sculpture by Edgar Degas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
    — Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of smear
Verb
  • There was a period when Broadway creators thought the only way to get a performance was to humiliate a person.
    — Mark Seliger, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
  • An investigation of at least eight fraternities found that members humiliated students through means like beating them with paddles or forcing potential recruits to eat live fish and drink urine, according to court filings.
    — Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 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
  • Thailand has one of the world's harshest lese majeste laws, setting jail terms of up to 15 years for anyone convicted of defaming, insulting or threatening King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family.
    — Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Kim was eventually dropped from the defamation suit, before a jury found the family not guilty of defaming Chyna in May 2022.
    — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 25 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 22 Apr. 2025.

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