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 the documentary, Reubens, who hid his private life, talks about his fame as well as rumors and vilification from the media before reemerging as a cult figure with a Broadway revival of his Pee-wee stage show, and a final Pee-wee film.
—
The Deadline Team, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
In an interview with Variety published this week, Smollett spoke of his public vilification.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
One of Trump’s problems in his second term, though, is that this daily stream of vilification is, by now, a very familiar script.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 17 July 2025
Despite this national vilification, however, Wisconsin voters reelected La Follette in 1922.
—Time, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vilification
The Deadline Team, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
In an interview with Variety published this week, Smollett spoke of his public vilification.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
One of Trump’s problems in his second term, though, is that this daily stream of vilification is, by now, a very familiar script.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 17 July 2025
Despite this national vilification, however, Wisconsin voters reelected La Follette in 1922.
—Time, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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Anti-SLAPP laws are generally used to prevent people from using expensive defamation suits to target or punish others for their speech.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
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The actress, 39, is featured in Silenced, which centers around the weaponization of defamation laws against abuse survivors.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Baldoni denied the claims and filed a $400 million defamation suit against Lively as well as a $250 million libel lawsuit against The Times, both of which have since been tossed.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
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The filing was later tossed, as was Baldoni’s $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for its coverage of Lively’s allegations.—
Jami Ganz,
Mercury News,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Los Angeles Lakers have dropped six of their past 10 games and criticism of the team ramped up Thursday after the Los Angeles Clippers knocked off their crosstown rival.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Schultz said he is not bothered by the criticism marking his seven-year tenure at the $301,000-a-year post.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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