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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Will the media’s libel protection last in the age of Trump?—
Ashley Oliver,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Apr. 2025
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Wynn is a longtime friend of Donald Trump, who also has called for stricter libel laws.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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So far, Trumps criticism of Powell doesn’t appear to have had any bearing on monetary policy, despite temporarily shaking the markets in late April when it was believed Trump might try to fire Powell.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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The top seeds cruised on the men’s side of the French Open and the scheduling of women’s tennis matches drew more criticism from a pair of American stars.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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