Synonyms of vilified

vilified

verb

past tense of vilify

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

• libeled
• smeared
• maligned
• humiliated
• slandered
• disgraced
• discredited
• defamed
• calumniated
• denigrated
• traduced
• shamed
• disparaged
• belittled
• blackened
• aspersed
• dishonored
• disdained
• humbled
• scorned
• degraded
• detracted
• debased
• abased

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honored
• praised
• exalted
• applauded
• respected
• commended
• glorified
• acclaimed
• regarded
• admired
• esteemed
• revered
• worshipped
• adored
• venerated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vilified

Some of this was exacerbated by going to Duke, of course, which has a history of some of its best players being vilified nationwide. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026

But Timothy Leary’s version became the dominant idea of psychedelics, and when President Ronald Reagan’s War on Drugs began, psychedelics were vilified as the gateway to ruin. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

But the backlash against pandemic responses, including vaccine mandates, led to the vaccines and mRNA technology being vilified by some and becoming the focus of widespread misinformation. — Rob Stein, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026

Durant was vilified for leaving Oklahoma City at the peak of his powers to join the ascendant dynasty in the Bay Area alongside two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green. — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

My client was incarcerated for four days, on House Arrest for 28 days, has been vilified in the community, has been harassed in school, and has faced trauma and turmoil no 15-year-old should ever have to endure. — Laura Fay, CBS News, 3 Aug. 2026

Kyrie Irving, Novak Djokovic, Aaron Rodgers, Cole Beasley, Tyler Bertuzzi, and every day Americans were relentlessly vilified for not taking an experimental drug during the pandemic. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

In The News A year after Cracker Barrel’s leadership was vilified online for changing the restaurant’s longtime logo to get rid of the old man leaning on a barrel, the CEO who was at the helm during the change is stepping down. — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

The trailblazer may be vilified in the moment but may not be celebrated till later. — Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 27 July 2026