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
The trial became a staging ground for an effort that would permeate his presidential campaign and first weeks in office: vilification of judges who cross Mr. Trump.
—
Graham Kates, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2025
In his first five episodes, Newsom has mostly capitulated to right-wing guests, agreeing with them on issues such as trans women competing in sports and the vilification of white men.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Why is the American state so susceptible to vilification?
—Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
The continued vilification of immigrants only serves to harm American families, communities, and our economy.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Graham Kates, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2025
In his first five episodes, Newsom has mostly capitulated to right-wing guests, agreeing with them on issues such as trans women competing in sports and the vilification of white men.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Why is the American state so susceptible to vilification?
—Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
The continued vilification of immigrants only serves to harm American families, communities, and our economy.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
-
In a separate move Wednesday, Trump also took action against the law firm Susman Godfrey, which represented Dominion Voting Systems in its high-profile defamation lawsuit against Fox News.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Federal courts apply state law to defamation cases.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
What To Know The lawsuit filed Friday accuses the Associated Press of defamation and libel.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Supreme Court rejects Steve Wynn appeal The Supreme Court has turned back an appeal from casino mogul Steve Wynn, who had challenged a landmark libel ruling as part of a lawsuit against The Associated Press.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
For an artist so focused on the future, criticism doesn’t slow him down.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
-
In both cases, the criticism is not completely superficial.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share