as in libeled
to make untrue and harmful statements about
claimed that she had been vilified by the press because of her conservative views
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vilified
His presence will also mean that dinner guest lists are closely-watched, with CBS News planning to bring Secretary Pete Hegseth (who has vilified media coverage in press briefings), while the influencer Clavicular is expected to make the rounds as well.
—
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Much of Orbán’s campaign vilified neighboring Ukraine.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Pat Fitzgerald was vilified, then vindicated.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Much of Orbán’s campaign vilified neighboring Ukraine.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Pat Fitzgerald was vilified, then vindicated.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilified
Verb
-
At the start of the short, paved trail, the green slopes appear smeared with vague suggestions of ocher and mauve.—
Alissa Greenberg,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
One of the men smeared our foreheads with sandalwood paste, vermilion, and rice.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The move adds to longstanding concern among health experts that chaos and political interference under Kennedy—a staunch anti-vaccine activist who has long falsely maligned COVID-19 vaccines—is deeply undermining science at federal agencies and beyond.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
9 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The series follows Sabrina (Ayres), who is humiliated and emotionally devastated after being betrayed by her boyfriend.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Tiger Woods is reportedly reeling after his latest DUI arrest, humiliated by the fallout.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
New Orleans has long been notorious for embracing such scoundrels, a reputation that isn’t exactly helped by the fact that, for many years, disgraced attorneys who lost their licenses in Louisiana and applied for readmission to the bar often got it.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Vilified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilified. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
