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 Despite me sharing hospital records, police records, the detective's name and phone number and images of the assault, Uber chose to effectively victim-blame me and vilify me. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025 But rather than vilifying or muzzling proxy advisors, a few simple changes could make the proxy process more open, fair, and thoughtful. Sarah Keohane Williamson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025 Israel is not merely charged with war crimes — it is vilified as a genocidal regime, guilty of starving and killing civilians en masse. Avi Weiss, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025 Instead of vilifying unions, the state should work with them to address the real challenges facing educators. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Aug. 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
  • Ciarlo has been a beauty aficionado from her early age of sneaking into her mother's makeup drawer and smearing Joker-esque lipstick on her face.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Laptop screens get spattered, smeared, dusty, and dirty from frequent use.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And Sacks, a PayPal Mafia member and veteran Silicon Valley investor, is just the sort of titan of industry this town routinely devours and humiliates — from Rex Tillerson to, well, Elon Musk.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • And whether the Carolina Panthers are just stuck in an endless loop of embarrassment, one that alternately humiliates and enrages their fans.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • About two hours later, the US Air Force dropped military flares in the sky, with rumors stating this was an attempt to cover up and discredit the UFO incident that occurred earlier in the evening.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Eventually, however, Lowell’s ideas were discredited—Schiaparelli, once an ally, renounced them—and the world moved on.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In 2022, the Duchess of Sussex’s estranged half-sister, Samantha Markle, sued her for allegedly defaming her in multiple interviews, including a 2021 tell-all with Oprah Winfrey.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The president was also found liable for defaming Carroll over her allegations.
    Dan Gooding Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vilify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilify. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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