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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Recent Examples of vilification
This charge, no less than a modern-day blood libel, is just the latest attack in Amnesty's longstanding campaign of lawfare against and vilification of the State of Israel, having previously accused the Jewish state of the equally unfounded charge of apartheid.
—
Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
This leads into how President-elect Trump should not stoop to pettiness, vilification, or revenge.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
This leads into how President-elect Trump should not stoop to pettiness, vilification, or revenge.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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Baldoni has denied the allegations against him and filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
Fox News,
23 Feb. 2025
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Weeks later, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing the trio of civil extortion and defamation.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The allegations were cemented in a New York Times article — for which Baldoni has filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the outlet — as well as Lively’s Dec. 31 lawsuit against her former costar.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2025
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The situation escalated quickly, with Baldoni responding by filing a $250 million libel suit against The New York Times and later a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane for alleged defamation and civil extortion.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Among those who lost their jobs were members of the civic integrity group, which was known to be outspoken in its criticism of Zuckerberg’s leadership.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2025
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In contrast, toxic conflict involves criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling—patterns that can lead to emotional disconnection and resentment, Scevoli said.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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