vilification
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of vilification
First recorded in 1600–10; equivalent to vili(fy) ( def. ) + -fication ( def. )
Explanation
If one politician speaks in a strongly insulting way about another politician, that's vilification. Vilification is saying something extremely derogatory about someone in speech or writing. When vilification is deliberate and false, it can be called libel (making a false written statement about someone) or slander (speaking that same false statement aloud). Vilification isn't always a lie, although it usually is—and sometimes vilification is used with the intention of inciting hatred of a person or group of people: "The website was shut down because of its vilification of immigrants."
Vocabulary lists containing vilification
Margaret Chase Smith's "Declaration of Conscience" (1950)
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New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964)
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Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
De Wilde said that between January and August 2024, Barton published 48 posts relating to Aluko on his X account, adding that he had "carried out a deliberately targeted public campaign of vilification".
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
There followed a statement by U.S. bishops condemning what they called the vilification and arbitrary treatment of migrants.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025
But Coomer’s lawyers insisted the Stupid Defense couldn’t excuse the vilification of Coomer or the impact on his reputation.
From Slate • Jun. 25, 2025
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.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2024
The historical record makes it perfectly clear, to be sure, that Jefferson was orchestrating the campaign of vilification, which had its chief base of operations in Virginia and its headquarters at Monticello.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
