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 So why should a coach with back-to-back men’s basketball championships be vilified for cursing at officials? Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025 Parts of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay are loaded with invasive fish species — most notably snakeheads, which were introduced illegally into Maryland waters some 20 years ago and have been vilified by fisheries biologists and in the media ever since. Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2025 He was called a communist sympathizer, and political rivals vilified him. Anh Do, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025 In a blunt warning to Mr. Orban, who has infuriated European leaders by constantly vilifying them, the European Union’s executive arm on Dec. 31 took about 1 billion euros, or about $1.1 billion, of Hungary’s frozen money off the table, saying a time limit had expired. Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 20 Mar. 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
  • Avoid insecticides, greasy oils, or petroleum jelly smeared near the feeder that can coat hummingbird feathers.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
  • Though the moment is smeared in dramatic score, a dull clanging pierces through; the EMTs can’t get the gurney wheels to glide out of the doorway.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • In a display of brute aggression, cartel operatives humiliated Mexican officials by forcing the government to release Mr. Guzmán López shortly after he was captured.
    Alan Feuer, New York Times, 7 May 2025
  • But in Trump’s White House, the goal may be simpler—and harder: not getting humiliated.
    Nik Popli, Time, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • The attempts to discredit women like Ventura discount the reality of their lives, Gee said.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
  • But in a possible attempt to discredit Pryor, her name and some details of her confidential complaint, available only to the mayor, commissioners and senior city employees, have been circulated publicly.
    Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Mosley wrote that Kou and his attorney, Lake County Commissioner and former state Rep. Anthony Sabatini, failed to provide evidence Kou was defamed and ordered him to pay Albritton and his committee’s court fees and costs.
    Steven Lemongello, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
  • The lawsuit specifically claimed Combs was defamed by comments from Sure!
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vilify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilify. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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