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 One of the film’s strongest echoes from the blues to hip-hop is in the way the juke joint, its music, and culture are vilified by Sammie’s father, foreshadowing the real villains that come. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2025 While these concerns are valid and deserve attention, the conversation quickly veered into territory that left many men feeling vilified. Nafees Alam, Boston Herald, 19 May 2025 They have been vilified by many of those on the right and patronized by many of those on the left. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025 The Affordable Care Act has been vilified by Republicans since passage during President Barack Obama’s tenure. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 June 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 appeared to be smeared across the woman’s nose and mouth and across the sheets, according to court documents.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
  • In the video, Adira takes a special liking to the lipstick, smearing it all over her own mouth and chin, while Olympia seemed to be taking her mom’s notes on how to perfect a makeup look.
    Rachel McRady, People.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Over 24 cycles, the show humiliated hundreds of young, naïve women (and, briefly, men) in the name of entertainment.
    Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 9 July 2025
  • Soldatov said that along this path was the 2008 war in Georgia, which showed the Russian army would not be humiliated anymore.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • What used to be fringe denialism has evolved into a sophisticated, and increasingly profitable, campaign to discredit science, undermine regulation, and politicize sustainability.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • The Chinese Communist Party has waged a decades-long campaign to discredit the current Dalai Lama and erase his presence from Tibetan life, while tightening restrictions on religious and cultural practices.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump claims the Wall Street Journal and its journalists defamed him and has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 18 July 2025
  • Heard partially won a countersuit, with the jury finding that Depp's lawyer defamed her.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vilify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilify. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vilify

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