as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
warned that the constant vilification of candidates for public office was undermining the people's faith in the political system
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Recent Examples of vilification
For example, the ADL contends that vilification of Zionism — the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel — is a form of antisemitism, yet some Jews are among the critics of Zionism and of the ADL itself.
—
David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Still, the attacks on Lively last year were reminiscent of the successful online vilification of Amber Heard during Johnny Depp’s 2022 Nathan-assisted $50 million defamation case against the Aquaman star.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025
The vilification of Chinese immigrants led to one of the most shameful laws in American history: the Chinese Exclusion Act.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
The tribal vilification of the Japanese during WWII facilitated support for the internment of 120,000 Japanese and American citizens in concentration camps, marking one of the most disgraceful eras in America’s history.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vilification
David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Still, the attacks on Lively last year were reminiscent of the successful online vilification of Amber Heard during Johnny Depp’s 2022 Nathan-assisted $50 million defamation case against the Aquaman star.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025
The vilification of Chinese immigrants led to one of the most shameful laws in American history: the Chinese Exclusion Act.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
The tribal vilification of the Japanese during WWII facilitated support for the internment of 120,000 Japanese and American citizens in concentration camps, marking one of the most disgraceful eras in America’s history.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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In a $500 million defamation and elder abuse action of their own, Smokey Robinson and his wife are now going after the four former employees who have accused the Motown legend of rape in a $50 million lawsuit.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
28 May 2025
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Baldoni responded with a $400 million defamation countersuit that named not only Lively but also her husband, Ryan Reynolds, their publicist and later Taylor Swift.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Noun
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The libel lawsuit was settled within weeks, CNN reported, with the website issuing a retraction and acknowledging that Kardashian had in fact been robbed at gunpoint.—
Christie D’Zurilla,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
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In December, Baldoni sued The New York Times for libel following the newspaper’s publication of an article detailing Lively’s accusations.—
Chloe Melas,
NBC news,
10 May 2025
Noun
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Also rejected was a proposal soliciting a report on warehouse working conditions, a perennial source of criticism of the company.—
Greg Bensinger,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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The Context Carville's comments are a stark departure from his longtime criticisms of Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most progressive members of the House of Representatives.—
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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