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 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 Bezos decries 'vilification' of the rich Jeff Bezos speaks with CNBC's Squawk Box from Merrit Island, Florida on May 20th, 2026. — Kevin Breuninger,annie Palmer, CNBC, 20 May 2026 And always these massacres were preceded by vilification, by slanders. — CBS News, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for vilification

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification

Noun

Exasperated, the Justice Department filed a formal discrimination suit, whereupon Cohn countersued the government for defamation, seeking a hundred million dollars in damages.

— Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Miller, who is running for reelection, has denied the allegations and has sued his ex-wife for defamation.

— Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of defamation

Noun

In response, Baldoni — and nine other plaintiffs, including publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel — sued the newspaper for libel and false light invasion of privacy, among other claims, over the article, and sought $250 million in damages.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026
Wayfarer has since pushed back against Lively's request for $8 million in legal fees over Wayfarer's libel suit.

— KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of libel

Noun

The company has continued to push back on criticism by offering law enforcement advice on how to counter public pressure at city council meetings, noted Torin Monahan, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2014 that Hungary had sacked Baka for criticism of the ⁠government and that his removal did damage to democratic freedoms in Hungary.

— Reuters, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticism

Browse Nearby Words

vileness

vilification

vilified

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“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of vilification

noun

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