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.

And while I like the idea of “replacing opposition with cooperation,” imagining that I’d vilify my kid turns me off.

From Slate • May 10, 2026

Despite testing positive, another reader scolded, I “continue to vilify vaccine skeptics generally, and … Kennedy specifically. Truly fascinating.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2025

She smiles often and laughs easily, a very American trait that helped vilify her in European eyes during her trial.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2025

“Ricky Cobb was a productive citizen of this community, and we will not let you vilify him,” family attorney Bakari Sellers said at a news conference.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 17, 2024

"Probably some kind of evidence they could use to vilify Tariq," Sloan says.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

Vocabulary lists containing vilify

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Power Suffix: -fy

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