vilify

From Late Latin vīlificāre (“vilify”). Equivalent to vile +‎ -ify.

• IPA^(key): /ˈvɪl.ɪ.faɪ/

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vilify (third-person singular simple present vilifies, present participle vilifying, simple past and past participle vilified)

1. (transitive) To say defamatory things about someone or something; to speak ill of.

   Synonyms: abuse, assail, criticize, decry, denigrate, demonize, denounce, libel, revile, slander, run down; see also Thesaurus:defame

   Antonyms: glorify, praise

2. (transitive) To belittle through speech; to put down.

   Synonyms: berate; see also Thesaurus:criticize

   Antonyms: glorify, praise

   • 2016 April 18, Cristina Alesci, “Monsanto CEO frustrated over 'polarized' GMO debate”, in CNN Business‎:

     As one of the largest producers of genetically modified (GM) seeds in the country, Monsanto has been vilified by activists who describe GM products as 'frankenfood.'

   • 2021 March 2, Jason Scott, 王晰宁 , “China Rips Murdoch’s News Corp. for Reports on Pandemic Origins”, in Bloomberg News‎, archived from the original on 3 March 2021:

     "Those who deliberately vilify China and sabotage the friendship between our two countries and do damage to our long-term friendship and benefits out of their sectoral or selfish interest will be cast aside in history,” he said. “Their children will be ashamed of mentioning their names."

• vilification
• vilifiable
• vilifier

• vile