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
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
The vilification of Chinese immigrants led to one of the most shameful laws in American history: the Chinese Exclusion Act.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
The tribal vilification of the Japanese during WWII facilitated support for the internment of 120,000 Japanese and American citizens in concentration camps, marking one of the most disgraceful eras in America’s history.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vilification
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
The vilification of Chinese immigrants led to one of the most shameful laws in American history: the Chinese Exclusion Act.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
The tribal vilification of the Japanese during WWII facilitated support for the internment of 120,000 Japanese and American citizens in concentration camps, marking one of the most disgraceful eras in America’s history.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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After the 2020 election, Fox took her off the air because her promotion of the false contention Dominion voting machines rigged the election against Trump became part of its $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox. Pirro and Martin are not the only dubious department appointees.—
Carl Leubsdorf,
Mercury News,
16 May 2025
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Baldoni, 41, denied the claims, filing a $400 million countersuit of his own, accusing Lively and others of defamation and extortion.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Baldoni then filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for its bombshell exposé into Lively’s claims.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
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Early criticism of the Wayfarer-Lively case compared the proceedings to the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard libel suit in 2022.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Since returning to office, Trump has directed his administration to act aggressively against foreign nationals who the Administration has alleged are undermining American interests, particularly in the context of criticism of Israel and campus protests against the war in Gaza.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
9 May 2025
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Trump hasn't shied away from bashing Biden in speeches, online posts and executive orders, and the White House hasn't backed down in the face of the former president's criticisms.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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