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
The man is due to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court Saturday, to face a raft of charges including wilful damage, serious vilification or hate crime, dangerous driving and possession of a dangerous drug.
—
Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Despite the vilification that has become popular in some corners, my colleagues and I went to work every single day with a public health mindset.
—Richard Hughes Iv, STAT, 18 Feb. 2026
Individual acts of wrongdoing became the pretext for the vilification of entire nationalities.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
With polls indicating that political polarization in the United States is at an all-time high, vilification, and even prosecution, of political opponents has risen as well.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Despite the vilification that has become popular in some corners, my colleagues and I went to work every single day with a public health mindset.
—Richard Hughes Iv, STAT, 18 Feb. 2026
Individual acts of wrongdoing became the pretext for the vilification of entire nationalities.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
With polls indicating that political polarization in the United States is at an all-time high, vilification, and even prosecution, of political opponents has risen as well.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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Those efforts resulted in criminal charges against Giuliani in two states and a defamation lawsuit from election workers in Georgia.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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And, Liman noted, there’s a high bar for public figures to sue for defamation even if there were false statements.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Noun
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The essays led to the arrest and trial of the Journal’s publisher, John Peter Zenger, for libel.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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Actual malice is the legal standard by which courts determine if someone is liable for libel.—
Keely Bastow,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bovino, who led much of the immigration enforcement operation in Chicago and the suburbs, as well as in Minnesota before retiring this year amid criticism, declined to appear before the commission.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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