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
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
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.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
His medical records, bank records, and personal family history were dissected, mocked, and vilified.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
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
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
Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 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.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
His medical records, bank records, and personal family history were dissected, mocked, and vilified.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilified
Verb
-
The high-frequency detail that was already fading from atmospheric absorption got smeared further.—
Yook JiHun,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Grainy mustard smeared on a chunk of corned beef is delicious too.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Some of the top American stars, such as Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper, have been maligned for their inability to win the big game.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At one point in his teenage years, Diaz was publicly humiliated by the football team who forcefully shaved his curly hair.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Walz and Ellison were humiliated and could not account for their blundering.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 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
-
Some of the humor was mildly edgy, including jokes about pedophiles, the Epstein files and disgraced royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Radcliffe plays Arthur, a documentary filmmaker hired by Morgan’s disgraced former football player, Reggie, to make a The Last Dance–style documentary and facilitate Reggie’s comeback.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vilified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilified. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
