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 That’s of specific note in a time when the language is being vilified and used to target Latinos for deportation. Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025 Helping to drive up Madigan’s negatives was more than $21 million that then-Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, spent in 2016 on campaigns for GOP legislative candidates that vilified the then-House speaker. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025 The goal of the executive order is to spur resignations from a federal workforce his administration vilifies and seeks to downsize. Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 12 Feb. 2025 There’s the London riot several years ago where young people are sort of vilified and demonized. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vilify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilify
Verb
  • Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
    Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Though he was not named in the ad, Mr. Sullivan asserted he had been personally libeled by The Times and four Black ministers who were signed to the ad.
    David W. Dunlap, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Carbs Before bed, the best carbohydrate options are complex carbs and whole foods, like a piece of whole-grain toast smeared with avocado or a banana with almond butter.
    Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Soap removes sticky spills, smeared food or mud; bleach might take out the stains left once the crud is gone.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • No, Trump Did Not ‘Bring Back Free Speech’ An August 2024 report by Columbia’s task force on antisemitism found that Jews and Israelis at Columbia were often ostracized and humiliated on campus.
    Solcyré Burga, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The whole point is to humiliate weaker men – and to subjugate women.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But Dickens claims the opposite, and argues that the research purporting to discredit spelling has fallen out of date.
    Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Incident brought ‘discredit to the Sheriff’s Office’ Sgt.
    Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Daddy Yankee has reportedly filed a $250 million lawsuit against his ex-wife and her sister, alleging the women mismanaged two of his companies and defamed him.
    Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025
  • That offense—defaming the Italian government, parliament, courts, or army—carries a fine of up to €5,000 ($5,240) and is subject to direct summons to trial.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 18 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vilify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilify. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vilify

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