vilify

verb

vil·​i·​fy ˈvi-lə-ˌfī 

vilified; vilifying

transitive verb

1

: to utter slanderous and abusive statements against : defame

2

: to lower in estimation or importance

vilifier

ˈvi-lə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Did you know?

It seems reasonable to assume that the words vilify and villain come from the same source; after all, to vilify someone is—in some ways—to make them out to be a villain. Such is not the case, however. Although the origin stories of both vilify and villain involve Latin, their roots are quite different. Vilify came to English (via Middle English and Late Latin) from the Latin adjective vilis, meaning “cheap” or “vile.” Someone who has been vilified, accordingly, has had their reputation tarnished or cheapened in such a way that they’re viewed as morally reprehensible. Villain on the other hand, comes from the Medieval Latin word villanus, meaning “villager,” and ultimately from the Latin noun villa, meaning “house.” The Middle English descendent of villanus developed the meaning of “a person of uncouth mind and manners” due to the vilifying influence of the aristocracy of the time, and the connotations worsened from there until villain came to refer to (among other things), a deliberate scoundrel.

Synonyms

• libel
• smear
• humiliate
• discredit
• defame

Choose the Right Synonym for vilify

malign, traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame, slander mean to injure by speaking ill of.

malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

Examples of vilify in a Sentence

He was vilified in the press for his comments.

claimed that she had been vilified by the press because of her conservative views

Recent Examples on the Web

My patients' stories—of trauma, desperation, and resilience—tell a very different story from the political rhetoric, which often demonizes the procedure, vilifies doctors, and shames those who seek care. —Dr. Shelley Sella, Time, 11 June 2025

Lately, Gaines’ commentary has included spotlighting and vilifying transgender children and teens for their involvement in women’s and girls’ sports. —Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025

Recently, Gaines' commentary has also included spotlighting and, in some cases, vilifying transgender youth for their involvement in women's and girls' sports. —Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 7 June 2025

Corporations harmed by his trade policies have been vilified for telling the truth about tariffs. —Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vilifien, from Late Latin vilificare, from Latin vilis cheap, vile

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for vilify

• abscissae
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify

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Kids Definition

vilify

verb

vil·​i·​fy ˈvil-ə-ˌfī 

vilified; vilifying

: to speak of as wicked

vilification

ˌvil-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun

vilifier

ˈvil-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun