definitions

villainize

[ vil-uh-nahyz ]
/ ˈvɪl əˌnaɪz /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR villainize ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object) vil·lain·ized, vil·lain·iz·ing.

to speak ill of; disparage; vilify: to villainize the wealthy.

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RELATED WORDS

sully, revile, tarnish, smear, taint, denigrate, insult, disparage, misrepresent, vilify, besmirch, disgrace, scandalize, malign, discredit, defile, harm, accuse, pollute, soil

Nearby words

villahermosa, villain, villain of the piece, the, villainage, villainess, villainize, villainous, villainously, villainy, villanella, villanelle

Origin of villainize

First recorded in 1620–30; villain + -ize

Can be confused

villainize vilify
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019