vilification

noun

vil·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌvi-lə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of vilifying : abuse

2

: an instance of vilifying : a defamatory utterance

Synonyms

• aspersing
• blackening
• calumniation
• calumny
• character assassination
• defamation
• defaming
• libel
• libeling
• libelling
• maligning
• slander
• smearing
• traducing
• vilifying

Examples of vilification in a Sentence

warned that the constant vilification of candidates for public office was undermining the people's faith in the political system

Recent Examples on the Web

There is a logic to Donald Trump’s dangerous pattern of false vilification which was forecasted in Eric Hoffer’s The True Believer, which revealed the effectiveness of division to fuel mass movements over history. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024

Next, the pop star, 25, opened up about how incorporating her sexuality into her work has resulted in some of the vilification that Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera have experienced over the years. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024

What does not help, in any way, is the vilification of people who do not have children. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Unwarranted vilification of the armed forces threatens the United States’ military capabilities. —Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1