as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
warned that the constant vilification of candidates for public office was undermining the people's faith in the political system
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Recent Examples of vilification
Kim’s vilification of the South has been a major setback for Seoul’s liberal government, which desires reengagement and has taken preemptive steps to ease tensions, including shutting down propaganda broadcasts along the border.
—
ABC News, 7 May 2026
For example, the ADL contends that vilification of Zionism — the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel — is a form of antisemitism, yet some Jews are among the critics of Zionism and of the ADL itself.
—David Crary, Fortune, 6 May 2026
In this delightful piece of armchair naturalism, Henion’s goal is to change our vilification of darkness, to see it instead as a restorative balm, and to stoke curiosity about nocturnal landscapes and creatures.
—The Know, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vilification
ABC News, 7 May 2026
For example, the ADL contends that vilification of Zionism — the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel — is a form of antisemitism, yet some Jews are among the critics of Zionism and of the ADL itself.
—David Crary, Fortune, 6 May 2026
In this delightful piece of armchair naturalism, Henion’s goal is to change our vilification of darkness, to see it instead as a restorative balm, and to stoke curiosity about nocturnal landscapes and creatures.
—The Know, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants.
—René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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The Albert and McCabe families have also sued Read and Aidan Kearney, who runs the Turtleboy X account, for defamation.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
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In December 2025, the rapper won a defamation case against blogger Milagro Gramz.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Noun
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Sabellico sued him for libel, arguing those comments were malicious and defamatory.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 June 2026
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Zenger was arrested and accused of seditious libel or content that challenged the authority of the state.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Thousands of providers who were cut off from Medicaid billing can once again receive funds, at least for now, as the Minnesota Department of Human Services navigates a revalidation process drawing bipartisan criticism.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
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Swift also reflected on making peace with criticism, fair and unfair, from both bots and real people.—
P. Claire Dodson,
Vogue,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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