Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vilify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vilify are asperse, calumniate, defame, malign, slander, and traduce. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

Where would asperse be a reasonable alternative to vilify?

The synonyms asperse and vilify are sometimes interchangeable, but asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

When is calumniate a more appropriate choice than vilify?

While the synonyms calumniate and vilify are close in meaning, calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

When would defame be a good substitute for vilify?

Although the words defame and vilify have much in common, defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When could malign be used to replace vilify?

The words malign and vilify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

When might slander be a better fit than vilify?

The meanings of slander and vilify largely overlap; however, slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

When can traduce be used instead of vilify?

While in some cases nearly identical to vilify, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

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 vilify According to Han, the dichotomy between the brothers’ maturity wasn’t meant to vilify Jeremiah but is actually a realistic depiction of how young men mature. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025 Democrats who are the least racially resentful are the most likely to vilify and dehumanize Republicans. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 She has been valorized and vilified in equal measure throughout her life. Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025 Undocumented immigrants are sometimes vilified while their employers escape criticism, according to Bradley, a retired attorney whose career represented business interests. Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vilify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilify
Verb
  • In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
    George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Blood was smeared throughout the business.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
  • After smearing Tylenol, the president's unscripted remarks quickly veered into an incoherent rant linking vaccines to autism as well.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Lord Lovat is utterly humiliated and this turns out to be a major problem for Brian.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
  • There’s always a moment in which somebody humiliates the villain and now all the love in him is gone.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There would be accusations of race manipulation, an online mob discrediting Wallace’s win as undeserved, and an angry Joe Gibbs Racing organization, which would now realize Hamlin puts another team’s interests ahead of their own.
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Over time, as research increasingly pointed to genetics as a major factor in autism, the theory was discredited.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • MyPillow founder Mike Lindell defamed the election technology company Smartmatic with false statements that its voting machines helped rig the 2020 presidential election, a federal judge in Minnesota ruled Friday.
    Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Trump is claiming he was defamed by the newspaper, four of its reporters and book publisher Penguin Random House.
    Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vilify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilify. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vilify

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