VILIFICATION Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

vilification

noun

ˌvi-lə-fə-ˈkā-shən

Definition of vilification

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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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 vilification Why the Cockroaches won The cockroach protests overwhelmed Modi’s regime of control because the young protesters were immune to the blackout and the vilification by India’s mainstream media. — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026 As vilification of the Founders and the Revolution became more common, both in academia and in society at large, Wood functioned as part elder statesman and part lightning rod. — Craig Bruce Smith, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 After defeating Chwalinska in straight sets, Andreeva took time at the end of her acceptance speech to speak Russian, seemingly in defiance of the vilification due to her ethnic heritage by the tennis governing bodies and opposing players. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026 Takaichi’s Japan is now headed in the opposite direction, with Xi’s campaign of vilification a vital spur. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for vilification

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification

Noun

Gibney has never been one to shy away from controversy, but even before Musk’s release, the film drew the ire of its subject and threats of a defamation lawsuit.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Oct. 2026
Conrad’s legal team includes Camille Vasquez, who was among the attorneys who represented actor Johnny Depp in his defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of defamation

Noun

Reuters — Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former politician who was jailed for lying in a high-profile libel case, has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said on Monday.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
His political career, which included a spell as the Conservative Party’s deputy chairman, was interrupted by a period in prison in 2001 after he was found guilty of lying and cheating in a 1987 libel case against The Daily Star newspaper.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of libel

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vileness

vilification

vilified

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“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of vilification

noun

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