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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vilification
After President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders to reduce crime on his first day in office, one expert with nearly three decades of law enforcement experience said the days of police vilification are over.
—
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Supporters of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995, bitterly accuse Netanyahu of orchestrating a campaign of public vilification that led to Rabin’s murder.
—Hussein Ibish, Foreign Affairs, 16 July 2014
Judges who block executive policies have been subjected to public vilification.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Supporters of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995, bitterly accuse Netanyahu of orchestrating a campaign of public vilification that led to Rabin’s murder.
—Hussein Ibish, Foreign Affairs, 16 July 2014
Judges who block executive policies have been subjected to public vilification.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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Trump asked a judge to order News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch to testify immediately in his defamation lawsuit over the Wall Street Journal’s reporting on Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, with the president citing the 94-year-old media mogul’s age to justify the request.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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Trump asserted the story was false and filed a $20 billion defamation lawsuit against the publication.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
28 July 2025
Noun
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On July 18, the president sued the Wall Street Journal's publisher, Dow Jones & Company, as well as its owner, Rupert Murdoch, alleging the story amounted to libel and slander.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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Key Facts Trump filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida alleging libel, assault and slander against Murdoch, Dow Jones and the two reporters behind the Journal’s story, according to multiple outlets.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
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Ferrucci, the journalism professor, dismissed both criticisms.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
1 Aug. 2025
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Mayor Karen Bass’ office has also pledged to make moves to reduce red tape for film and TV projects in L.A. amid multiple criticisms about the difficulties and expenses of planning shoots.—
Erik Hayden,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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