vilify

[vil-uh-fahy] / ˈvɪl əˌfaɪ /

VERB

criticize very harshly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assail berate damn decry defame denigrate denounce disparage malign mistreat revile slander smear

STRONG

abuse asperse attack blister censure curse cuss debase dig jinx knock libel pan rap roast scorch slam slur traduce vituperate voodoo

WEAK

bad-mouth call down caluminate dress down dump on give a black eye mudsling put a whammy on put down rag on rip up run down skin alive speak ill of tear down tear into

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve cherish commend compliment exalt favor flatter glorify laud praise

STRONG

benefit defend honor protect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That led Judge Perry to retort: “You are significantly undercutting your mea culpa here by standing behind the charges and continuing to vilify these particular defendants.”

From Slate • May 22, 2026

That the response to “West End Girl” was to immediately vilify Harbour and equate his purported sins to fireable offenses is troubling, but not surprising.

From Salon • Oct. 29, 2025

And on Wednesday Hayes added that the language used to "vilify" James online was "unacceptable".

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2023

“The city attempted to vilify Officer Garza when he spoke truth to power,” said Greg Smith, Garza’s attorney.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2023

But unlike the majority of the country, the Freedom Writers were not quick to vilify Klebold and Harris.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

Vocabulary lists containing vilify

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Power Suffix: -fy

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