Definitions

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

Then they start to actually vilify the regulations, and Frank Church becomes persona non grata, and all of a sudden it's like, "Wait, what? Didn't we learn something?"

From Salon • Aug. 21, 2024

“Equally, we shouldn’t feel it’s OK to vilify everyone who advocates for the Palestinian people as supporting Hamas,” Kornbluth said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 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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