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
For civil servants, who have been unfairly vilified, erratically fired and criminally prosecuted.
—
Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
The dissatisfaction has risen as corporations abandon their commitments to environmental, social and governance issues, vilified on the right as ESG and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
—Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
The design is meant to reorient us, to take us on a trail walked not by humans but traversed and carved by elephants, a creature still misunderstood, vilified and hunted for its cataclysmic-like ability to reshape land, and sometimes communities.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Schmidt said that the city’s police officers have been vilified for their efforts to restore law and order, a hostility notable against the backdrop of left-wing vitriol toward ICE.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Bishop Budde was immediately vilified.
—Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Stephanie has vilified predatory slot-machine operators and is opposed to prop bets, which provide opportunities to bet on an individual play or a player statistic.
—Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Via a sly, clever and potent allegory, the English singer-songwriter, who is trans, depicts the world of a vibrant but vilified cryptid community that finally rises up in the face of prejudice — not to attack, but simply to exist.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2026
Nutrition experts, lawmakers and the dairy industry have argued that whole milk is a delicious, nutritious food that has been unfairly vilified, and that some studies suggest that kids who drink it are less likely to develop obesity than those who drink lower-fat options.
—Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
The dissatisfaction has risen as corporations abandon their commitments to environmental, social and governance issues, vilified on the right as ESG and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
—Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
The design is meant to reorient us, to take us on a trail walked not by humans but traversed and carved by elephants, a creature still misunderstood, vilified and hunted for its cataclysmic-like ability to reshape land, and sometimes communities.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Schmidt said that the city’s police officers have been vilified for their efforts to restore law and order, a hostility notable against the backdrop of left-wing vitriol toward ICE.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Bishop Budde was immediately vilified.
—Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Stephanie has vilified predatory slot-machine operators and is opposed to prop bets, which provide opportunities to bet on an individual play or a player statistic.
—Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Via a sly, clever and potent allegory, the English singer-songwriter, who is trans, depicts the world of a vibrant but vilified cryptid community that finally rises up in the face of prejudice — not to attack, but simply to exist.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2026
Nutrition experts, lawmakers and the dairy industry have argued that whole milk is a delicious, nutritious food that has been unfairly vilified, and that some studies suggest that kids who drink it are less likely to develop obesity than those who drink lower-fat options.
—Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilified
Verb
-
Tears and lemonade are spilled; mud and cake get smeared into the rug; confetti balloons are popped one by one, showering elated children in rainbow-paper flakes.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
His nose is smeared with a white strip of sun cream.—
Molly Aitken,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Is Spider-Man 3 fairly or unfairly maligned?—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Texas has been maligned for its lack of bench production this season, but Lassina Traore, Chendall Weaver and Simeon Wilcher have all been on the court during this decisive late run.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still, Friday ranked as one of the most unexpected breakdowns in international sports since Germany humiliated host Brazil, 7-1, at the 2014 soccer World Cup.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Be ashamed and humiliated and would have apologized.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
11 Feb. 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
-
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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Mandelson, known for his ability to spin stories and reënter the fold, has been disgraced before.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
-
More Epstein fallout At least six more co-conspirators may be in a trove of documents related to disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to two House members who've pushed for their release.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vilified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilified. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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