vilify
verb [T] /ˈvɪl.ɪ.faɪ/ formalDefinition
› to say or write unpleasant things about someone or something, in order to cause other people to have a bad opinion of them: He was vilified by the press as a monster of perversity.Damaging reputationDisapproving and criticizing vilification /ˌvɪl.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ noun [U]
(Definition of vilify verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
Browse the Dictionary
Browse the Thesaurus
SMART Thesaurus
Synonyms and related words:
- besmirch verb
- black mark noun
- blacken verb (SPOIL)
- blot your copybook idiom
- calumny noun
- drag sb's name through the mire/mud idiom
- give a dog a bad name idiom
- hurl/throw/sling mud at sb idiom
- impugn verb
- libel noun
- scurrilous adjective
- show someone in a bad light idiom
- slander noun
- slander verb
- slur noun (CRITICISM)
- slur verb (CRITICIZE)
- smear noun (ACCUSING)
- smear verb (ACCUSE)
- stab noun
- sully verb
Topic:
Damaging reputation
Word of the Day
Blog
Read our blog about how the English language behaves.
New Words
Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.
