as in libeled
to make untrue and harmful statements about
claimed that she had been vilified by the press because of her conservative views
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Recent Examples of vilified
Another signature initiative, the fact-checking news service BBC Verify, is routinely vilified by right-wing news outlets.
—
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Yet, as often as institutional investors have been vilified for scooping up millions of homes, the data doesn’t back up the contention.
—Bob Woods, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
By addressing financiers and corporate executives in Miami, Rodríguez signaled a willingness to engage directly with people her movement once vilified — an acknowledgment that foreign capital, particularly from the United States, will be central to Venezuela’s recovery.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
The Pahlavis, in exile, were vilified, but the family still appeared duty-bound to project the image of Reza as the dynastic heir of Iranian monarchy.
—Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Moura was outspoken in his criticism of Bolsonaro and in turn was vilified by the president.
—Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Mar. 2026
In the fight to save Wikie and Keijo, the idea of a sanctuary is the enemy of the existing marine park — both options are still captivity, yet one is romanticized and one vilified — and more importantly one form is a fantasy, the other a reality.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
My whole life, they had been vilified by my mom’s side of the family.
—Jennifer Wolfgram, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
His medical records, bank records, and personal family history were dissected, mocked, and vilified.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Yet, as often as institutional investors have been vilified for scooping up millions of homes, the data doesn’t back up the contention.
—Bob Woods, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
By addressing financiers and corporate executives in Miami, Rodríguez signaled a willingness to engage directly with people her movement once vilified — an acknowledgment that foreign capital, particularly from the United States, will be central to Venezuela’s recovery.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
The Pahlavis, in exile, were vilified, but the family still appeared duty-bound to project the image of Reza as the dynastic heir of Iranian monarchy.
—Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Moura was outspoken in his criticism of Bolsonaro and in turn was vilified by the president.
—Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Mar. 2026
In the fight to save Wikie and Keijo, the idea of a sanctuary is the enemy of the existing marine park — both options are still captivity, yet one is romanticized and one vilified — and more importantly one form is a fantasy, the other a reality.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
My whole life, they had been vilified by my mom’s side of the family.
—Jennifer Wolfgram, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
His medical records, bank records, and personal family history were dissected, mocked, and vilified.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilified
Verb
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On one visit, the pizza was smeared in a creamy, garlicky white sauce with a smattering of roasted broccoli.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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Clearly, the presence of sugar was no deterrent, as the dog appeared to have enthusiastically investigated the fallen bag, emerging with powdered evidence smeared across his face.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In both Dream Scenario and The Drama, Borgli sides with the maligned, framing those who cast judgment as shrewish and needling (exemplified in The Drama with a deliciously irritating performance from Alana Haim).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
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Before and after taking charge of HHS, Kennedy called the CDC corrupt and maligned its officials as beholden to pharmaceutical companies.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Rockies have been humiliated before in their first home game, but never as badly as this.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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The leadership of the country that has threatened the stability and prosperity of the world will eventually be ousted, disempowered and humiliated.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now, the ultimate question of whether Walters slandered Miller will return to the district court.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
29 Jan. 2026
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Jerry Jones slandered my name to Cowboys media and national media for months.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These brands have pulled sponsorship of Wireless Festival, which disgraced itself recently by scheduling Ye (formerly Kanye West) to headline.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
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Pepsi withdrew its sponsorship of Wireless Festival following the announcement that disgraced rapper Kanye West, 48, will headline the event.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vilified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilified. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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