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

Librarians are harassed, teachers vilified, election workers threatened.

From Los Angeles Times

She added: “The shameful rhetoric displayed by Donald Trump and his allies at Madison Square Garden — where Puerto Ricans, migrants, and Democratic leaders were openly vilified — is not only divisive but dangerous.”

From Los Angeles Times

"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

"And neither of us were interested in simply vilifying or demonising these people. Your job as an actor is to leave your judgement at the door."

From BBC

Related Words

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