VILIFY Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

vilify

verb

ˈvi-lə-ˌfī

Definition of vilify next

as in to libel

to make untrue and harmful statements about claimed that she had been vilified by the press because of her conservative views

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Some of those who dared to express even a whisper of relief at his death were vilified online and arrested. —

Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026 One player made a scene on the field, vilified police, downplayed crime, wore a Fidel Castro T-shirt in the locker room, disrespected law enforcement and the military, and wore socks depicting cops as pigs during practice. —

Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026 Our need to meditate upon Lincoln as a savior and a saint—especially in times as rotten as the present—gives us a motivation, perhaps subconscious, to vilify Mary. —

Literary Hub, 21 May 2026 Our need to meditate upon Lincoln as a savior and a saint—especially in times as rotten as the present—gives us a motivation, perhaps subconscious, to vilify Mary. —

Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 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

Definition of libel

Verb

Instead, they are encouraged to view blue zones primarily through the lens of a sloppy critique that has already been discredited.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 20 June 2026
This doesn’t discredit the fact that mental and physical changes from menopause can be disorienting and jarring.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 June 2026

Definition of discredit

Verb

Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is suing Mayor Karen Bass personally, alleging that, while campaigning for reelection, Bass defamed her, damaging Crowley’s reputation by blaming her for the city’s response during the catastrophic Palisades fire.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
Because Ashley's defamation claim failed, her claim that her siblings had conspired to defame her likewise failed.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026