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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vilification
Individual acts of wrongdoing became the pretext for the vilification of entire nationalities.
—
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
With polls indicating that political polarization in the United States is at an all-time high, vilification, and even prosecution, of political opponents has risen as well.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The vilification on the right of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Add the pathetic reality that Illinois is the very definition of unfriendliness for business development and job creation, and the only thing Pritzker and his accomplices can campaign on is the vilification of Trump, facts be damned.
—Paul Miller, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
With polls indicating that political polarization in the United States is at an all-time high, vilification, and even prosecution, of political opponents has risen as well.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The vilification on the right of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Add the pathetic reality that Illinois is the very definition of unfriendliness for business development and job creation, and the only thing Pritzker and his accomplices can campaign on is the vilification of Trump, facts be damned.
—Paul Miller, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
-
King sued the league for defamation and the city of Independence for violating his civil rights.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Lake Court House Foundation permanently banned five individuals, including a local photographer, from entering the property’s bounds due to allegations of trespassing and defamation.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That accusation — known as the blood libel — has been passed around for almost a thousand years.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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And there was a huge libel action against him that was taken out by a very brave writer called Deborah Lipstadt, who won against him.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Descovich dismisses the criticism.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Wise's role at the Justice Department drew criticism from congressional Democrats.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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