Words / C2

VIL-if-eye/ˈvɪlɪfaɪ/

To vilify is to attack someone with harsh, unfair words (formal): vilify a union, a campaign to vilify. Smear and slander are cousins (slander has a legal life); criticise can be fair. Vilification is the noun. Villain is the bad character. Do not vilify a method if you only have a disagreement.

Meaning

To say or write harsh, unfair things about someone (formal).

Examples

• “The column vilified the union without quoting a single member.”
• “The column vilified staff without quoting one of them.”
• “Fair critique names a clause; vilification names a monster.”

Good to know

Smear with harsh, unfair words (formal). Noun: vilification. Fair cousin: criticise. Legal-ish: slander. Mix-up: villain.

Near in meaning

smear

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