vilify
/ˈvɪl.ɪ.faɪ/ verb
Forms vilifies vilifying vilified
- verb (transitive) To say defamatory things about someone or something; to speak ill of.
- verb (transitive) To belittle through speech; to put down.
Synonyms
abuse assail criticize decry denigrate demonize denounce libel revile slander run down assassinate asperse backbite badmouth befoul belibel besmirch besmear bewray vituperate rail
Antonyms
Etymology
From Late Latin vīlificāre (“vilify”). Equivalent to vile + -ify. Compare vilipend.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To make vile; to debase; to degrade; to disgrace. [R.]
- verb To degrade or debase by report; to defame; to traduce; to calumniate. I. Taylor.
Etymology [L. vilis vile + -fly; cf. L. vilificare to esteem of little value.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “vilify”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details