VILIFIED Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

vilified

verb

past tense of vilify

as in libeled

to make untrue and harmful statements about claimed that she had been vilified by the press because of her conservative views

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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 vilified Love was vilified for Cobain’s death, accused of complicity, exploitation, or worse, resulting in a real sense of danger. —

Quinn Moreland, Pitchfork, 14 June 2026 Some of those who dared to express even a whisper of relief at his death were vilified online and arrested. —

Nabil Salih, Time, 26 May 2026 One player made a scene on the field, vilified police, downplayed crime, wore a Fidel Castro T-shirt in the locker room, disrespected law enforcement and the military, and wore socks depicting cops as pigs during practice. —

Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026 Prosecutors alleged that China was vilified for wanting simple things like food and water. —

Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026 On both occasions, an adult denied a kid a baseball and was caught on camera doing so, and both were vilified on social media for their actions. —

Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 His presence will also mean that dinner guest lists are closely-watched, with CBS News planning to bring Secretary Pete Hegseth (who has vilified media coverage in press briefings), while the influencer Clavicular is expected to make the rounds as well. —

Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026 Much of Orbán’s campaign vilified neighboring Ukraine. —

Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026 Pat Fitzgerald was vilified, then vindicated. —

Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilified

Verb

Over in the next aisle, Gifty Anderson, who typically buys bales from Canada and the United Kingdom, held up a dress smeared with body makeup and tossed it aside without a second thought.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
The dog couldn’t go in her room so soon after her transplant, so Aspen dabbed colors on a small canvas and handed it to Scott, who put it in a plastic bag and smeared peanut butter on top.

— Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026