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
Love was vilified for Cobain’s death, accused of complicity, exploitation, or worse, resulting in a real sense of danger.
—
Quinn Moreland, Pitchfork, 14 June 2026
Some of those who dared to express even a whisper of relief at his death were vilified online and arrested.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
One player made a scene on the field, vilified police, downplayed crime, wore a Fidel Castro T-shirt in the locker room, disrespected law enforcement and the military, and wore socks depicting cops as pigs during practice.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Prosecutors alleged that China was vilified for wanting simple things like food and water.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
On both occasions, an adult denied a kid a baseball and was caught on camera doing so, and both were vilified on social media for their actions.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
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
Quinn Moreland, Pitchfork, 14 June 2026
Some of those who dared to express even a whisper of relief at his death were vilified online and arrested.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026
One player made a scene on the field, vilified police, downplayed crime, wore a Fidel Castro T-shirt in the locker room, disrespected law enforcement and the military, and wore socks depicting cops as pigs during practice.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Prosecutors alleged that China was vilified for wanting simple things like food and water.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
On both occasions, an adult denied a kid a baseball and was caught on camera doing so, and both were vilified on social media for their actions.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilified
Verb
-
The costume—doofy top hat, smeared white paint—suggested full commitment to the bit.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
18 June 2026
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Over in the next aisle, Gifty Anderson, who typically buys bales from Canada and the United Kingdom, held up a dress smeared with body makeup and tossed it aside without a second thought.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The tangerine-hued drink may have maligned aperitivo as what Americans think of as happy hour—consuming multiple drinks before dinner—but traditionally, aperitivo is a millennia-old ritual that stems from sipping a single drink with herbal, bitter flavors to stimulate the appetite.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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But it’s also unfairly maligned because Macca is completely in on the ridiculously catchy joke.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Only the United States was humiliated; both countries have experienced a catastrophic loss.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
-
However, they were then humiliated 2-1, after extra time, by second division side Torreense in the final.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 June 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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Among the guests were Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as the daughters of Sarah Ferguson and disgraced ex-Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
8 June 2026
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Federal regulators are investigating disgraced former Congressman George Santos for possible insider trading on the prediction market Kalshi, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vilified.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilified. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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