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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of vilification
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.
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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
The Virology authors warn that the vilification of scientists whose research supports the zoonosis hypothesis will leave society defenseless when the next pandemic threat emerges.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vilification 
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
The Virology authors warn that the vilification of scientists whose research supports the zoonosis hypothesis will leave society defenseless when the next pandemic threat emerges.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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At a defamation trial in Washington D.C, Giuliani was unable to back up the claim and a jury awarded Freeman and Moss $148 million.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
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What’s more, CNN this week goes on trial in a defamation suit that has a plaintiff seeking $1 billion after a 2021 report on the network questioned the activities of a security consultant aiding people who wanted to escape Afghanistan.Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Defamation trials are rare in the U.S. due to constitutional protections for the press, which make proving libel difficult.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
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Lively sued Baldoni for mental pain and anguish, severe emotional distress, and lost wages; Baldoni sued the New York Times for libel, alleging that the publication defamed him with its piece about the alleged PR campaign against Lively.Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 4 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The criticism is somewhat reminiscent of Texans slamming Sen. Ted Cruz for fleeing to Cancun during a statewide freeze and power loss disaster in 2021.James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
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Comments Holker made to PEOPLE in a Jan. 7 interview triggered the wave of criticism.Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near vilification
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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