VILIFICATIONS 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

Continue reading … MISTAKEN IDENTITY — Maryland teenager seeks $20 million from CBS News in defamation lawsuit.

— , FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, a former chief of Israel’s domestic security service has filed a defamation suit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and hospital officials in Gaza said an Israeli strike there killed one man.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of defamation

Noun

He was cleared of that, but then fell out with a friend who had helped concoct his alibi in the libel case, and was charged with perjury.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026
Paul Bettany opened up in a recent interview with The Times about the public’s misconception of his relationship with Johnny Depp after text messages between the two actors were used in court during Depp’s libel lawsuit against The Sun.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of libel

Noun

Trump's continuing criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and praise of Putin only give Putin further confidence the United States is not serious about imposing more severe sanctions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
His government, the most nationalist and far-right in Israel’s history, faces domestic criticism over security failures and international criticism over the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticism

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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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of vilification

noun

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