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
What does not help, in any way, is the vilification of people who do not have children.
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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
Despite prolonged suppression and vilification, the animal rights movement has endured.
—Sunaura Taylor, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vilification 
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
Despite prolonged suppression and vilification, the animal rights movement has endured.
—Sunaura Taylor, Vox, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vilification
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vilification
Noun
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And inside Disney’s C-suites on the Burbank lot, there was a feeling of déjà vu thanks to a looming defamation lawsuit filed in March by former and incoming President Donald Trump, a far more powerful and strident adversary than a South Dakota food processor.Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
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Seth Stern, director of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, said Trump and his political allies have used consumer protection laws as a workaround when defamation lawsuits aren't as feasible.Elahe Izadi, arkansasonline.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Williams sued the tabloid for libel and won damages as well as an apology.Shyla Watson, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
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Many referred to the Gooding vs. Swan libel case as the Littlehampton Letters.Rendy Jones, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2024
Noun
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Francis has long welcomed frank and open debates and even has welcomed criticism of his own work.CBS News, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2024
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Israel faces heavy international criticism over the unprecedented levels of civilian deaths in Gaza.Melanie Lidman and Waafa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near vilification
Cite this Entry
“Vilification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vilification. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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