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 While Sandu’s leadership has won her admiration in Brussels, she has been vilified by the Kremlin. Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025 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 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
  • The recklessness of Netanyahu's government has smeared on Israel's face a stain that will be difficult to erase even with a generation's effort.
    Ehud Barak, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The demand for arbitration alleged a campaign to smear the former anchor.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • We were crushed, humiliated, and broken, after our city was destroyed, occupied and erased from existence.
    Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Alarr’s unwelcome physical touching made Plaintiff feel offended, uncomfortable, humiliated and intimidated.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the book, she's portrayed as someone suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and on anxiety medication, both of which are used to discredit her and paint her as unwell.
    Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Bullmer attempts to discredit her until Carrie, dressed as Anne, backs her up.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Theodat alleges that Arroyo defamed her with false claims in the lawsuit, and that the Herald did so as well by reporting on the matter.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The filing points to two specific instances as evidence of Ray J defaming members of the famous family.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vilify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilify. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vilify

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