Vilify
To speak or write about someone in a way that damages their reputation by portraying them as evil, wrong, or unworthy; to defame or slander.
verbVilify
To speak or write about someone in a way that damages their reputation by portraying them as evil, wrong, or unworthy; to defame or slander.
verbImagine This
Imagine a public figure who has committed no crime being targeted by sensational headlines that paint them as a monster; every article casts them as a villain, until the public views them as evil.
Sounds Like
sounds like: VIL-uh-fy (VIL-ə-fy)
Looks Like
looks like: resembles 'vile' or 'villain' in meaning and sound; visually contains 'vil' as in 'villain'.
Remember This
Remember: to vilify is to harm someone's reputation through demeaning or false statements; it is more about character assassination than fair critique.
Other Forms
Connect With
defame, slander, disparage, malign, smear
Note
Note: Vilify implies intentional harm to reputation and is stronger than simply criticizing; avoid confusing it with defame in legal terms, though vilification can involve defamation.