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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vilification
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
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, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Still, the attacks on Lively last year were reminiscent of the successful online vilification of Amber Heard during Johnny Depp’s 2022 Nathan-assisted $50 million defamation case against the Aquaman star.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vilification
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
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, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Still, the attacks on Lively last year were reminiscent of the successful online vilification of Amber Heard during Johnny Depp’s 2022 Nathan-assisted $50 million defamation case against the Aquaman star.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
-
Nonetheless, as Push told GQ, his label and their parent label were concerned about the optics of two of Drizzy’s foes linking up amid the ongoing defamation lawsuit.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
24 June 2025
-
Shawe, not one to stay out of the courts, sued the lawyer representing the class, Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, for defamation in May 2024.—
Phoebe Liu,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
On New Year’s Eve, Baldoni sued The New York Times for $250 million for libel over their initial story about Lively’s allegations.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
2 May 2025
-
This group also advises on libel, intellectual property, and other concerns relating to content.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Habba’s involvement has drawn criticism from Democrats, who accuse the Trump administration of politicizing federal prosecutions.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 June 2025
-
Lander’s criticism of Israel is much more muted and that of a liberal Zionist.—
Steven W. Thrasher
June 26,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share