Vilify definition

vĭlə-fī
vilified vilifies vilifying
See word origin
Frequency:
To attack the reputation of (a person or thing) with strong or abusive criticism.
verb
10
0
To use abusive or slanderous language about or of; calumniate; revile; defame.
verb
3
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To belittle through speech; to put down.
verb
0
0
Vilify is defined as to make a comment about a person that makes him look bad.

An example of to vilify is to tell a story about a man which makes him sound like a thief.

verb
0
1
To say defamatory things about someone or something.
verb
0
1
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Origin of vilify

  • Middle English vilifien from Late Latin vīlificāre to hold cheap Latin vīlis cheap wes-3 in Indo-European roots Latin -ficāre -fy

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin vÄ«lificāre, present active infinitive of vÄ«lificō (“villify"),

    From Wiktionary

Vilify Sentence Examples

  • Why are people so quick to vilify those on the "other side" of the issue—and why do we even think in terms of sides?

  • The angels that resent mans ability to choose, to deny and even to vilify God's gifts, want to destroy this creation in honor of their own creator.

  • You ca n't vilify the music companies for seeking to profit from their intellectual property that is just good business practice.

  • Only those who hold such a ridiculously pedantic view could vilify the Irish rebellion by calling it a ' putsch '.

  • This is highly interesting, especially in light of the fact that Muslims often vilify Paul, attacking his credibility.

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Words near vilify in the Dictionary