vilify

[ vil-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, vil·i·fied, vil·i·fy·ing.

1. to speak ill of; defame; slander.

   Synonyms: blacken, asperse, abuse, malign, calumniate, disparage, depreciate

   Antonyms: commend

2. Obsolete. to make vile.

vilify

/ ˈvɪlɪˌfaɪ; ˌvɪlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

verb

1. to revile with abusive or defamatory language; malign

   he has been vilified in the tabloid press

2. rare.
   to make vile; debase; degrade

Derived Forms

• vilification, noun
• ˈviliˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• vil·i·fi·ca·tion [vil-, uh, -fi-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• vil·i·fi·er noun
• vil·i·fy·ing·ly adverb
• un·vil·i·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vilify¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word vīlificāre. See vile, -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of vilify¹

C15: from Late Latin vīlificāre, from Latin vīlis worthless + facere to make

Example Sentences

By its very nature, it cannot be noble; it depends on lies that vilify an entire population and maintaining an inherently oppressive status quo.

From Salon

Officials say strict laws are necessary and are aimed at deterring people from indulging in unhygienic practices around food, but opposition leaders and legal experts have questioned the efficacy of these laws and allege that they could also be misused to vilify a specific community.

From BBC

"I think we all aimed for veracity. We weren't trying to vilify Trump, which I think a lot of people think that's the only reason we would make this film."

From BBC

Because although Wallnau and his compatriots have paved the way for evangelicals to embrace Trump, their real power lies in how they vilify their enemies.

From Slate

Then they start to actually vilify the regulations, and Frank Church becomes persona non grata, and all of a sudden it's like, "Wait, what? Didn't we learn something?"

From Salon

Related Words

• assail
• berate
• damn
• decry
• defame
• denigrate
• denounce
• disparage
• malign
• mistreat
• revile
• slander
• smear