vilification

noun

vil·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌvi-lə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of vilifying : abuse

2

: an instance of vilifying : a defamatory utterance

Synonyms

• aspersing
• blackening
• calumniation
• calumny
• character assassination
• defamation
• defaming
• libel
• libeling
• libelling
• maligning
• slander
• smearing
• traducing
• vilifying

Examples of vilification in a Sentence

warned that the constant vilification of candidates for public office was undermining the people's faith in the political system

Recent Examples on the Web

For all the vilification he’s unfairly endured from the mayor and Pacione-Zayas, Martinez is an accredited school superintendent. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025

After President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders to reduce crime on his first day in office, one expert with nearly three decades of law enforcement experience said the days of police vilification are over. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Supporters of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995, bitterly accuse Netanyahu of orchestrating a campaign of public vilification that led to Rabin’s murder. —Hussein Ibish, Foreign Affairs, 16 July 2014

Judges who block executive policies have been subjected to public vilification. —Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for vilification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration