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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vilification
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
Analysts say Kim's vilification of South Korea reflects his view that Seoul, which helped set up his first meetings with Trump, is no longer a useful intermediary with Washington but an obstacle to his effort to establish a more assertive regional footing.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for vilification
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
Analysts say Kim's vilification of South Korea reflects his view that Seoul, which helped set up his first meetings with Trump, is no longer a useful intermediary with Washington but an obstacle to his effort to establish a more assertive regional footing.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
-
When Faye won Senegal’s 2024 presidential election, it was widely understood as a victory engineered by Sonko, his political mentor who had been barred from contesting the election himself after a defamation conviction.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
25 May 2026
-
Claims of conspiracy, defamation and trespassing have swirled.—
DANA HEDGPETH THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Zenger was arrested and accused of seditious libel or content that challenged the authority of the state.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
-
The nation's highest court overturned a libel case against the newspaper, which had run an ad condemning police treatment of civil rights demonstrators in Montgomery, Alabama.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Both players have been regular targets for fan criticism over their attitude this term.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
But that market has faced growing criticism for its dependence on mass production and cultural appropriation — and a portion of travelers are responding by spending their money differently.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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