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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vilification
After President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders to reduce crime on his first day in office, one expert with nearly three decades of law enforcement experience said the days of police vilification are over.
—
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Supporters of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995, bitterly accuse Netanyahu of orchestrating a campaign of public vilification that led to Rabin’s murder.
—Hussein Ibish, Foreign Affairs, 16 July 2014
Judges who block executive policies have been subjected to public vilification.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Supporters of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995, bitterly accuse Netanyahu of orchestrating a campaign of public vilification that led to Rabin’s murder.
—Hussein Ibish, Foreign Affairs, 16 July 2014
Judges who block executive policies have been subjected to public vilification.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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Spacey’s name was cited on a lengthy list of Epstein’s acquaintances and associates, which were released on Jan. 4, 2024 courtesy of unsealed court documents that were part of a 2015 defamation lawsuit against Epstein’s right-hand woman, Ghislaine Maxwell.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
15 July 2025
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Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey, who Martha was allegedly based on, filed a $170 million lawsuit against Netflix in June 2024, accusing the network of defamation and inaccuracy.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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On July 18, the president sued the Wall Street Journal's publisher, Dow Jones & Company, as well as its owner, Rupert Murdoch, alleging the story amounted to libel and slander.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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Key Facts Trump filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida alleging libel, assault and slander against Murdoch, Dow Jones and the two reporters behind the Journal’s story, according to multiple outlets.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
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The Washington football franchise changed its name from the Washington Redskins to the Commanders after decades of criticism about its name and logo.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
20 July 2025
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Chicago Sky star Angel Reese was one of many WNBA players who have expressed criticism of the league's handling of negotiations.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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