vilify

[ vil-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈvɪl əˌfaɪ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR vilify ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), vil·i·fied, vil·i·fy·ing.

to speak ill of; defame; slander.
Obsolete. to make vile.

Origin of vilify

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word vīlificāre. See vile, -fy

OTHER WORDS FROM vilify

vil·i·fi·ca·tion, noun vil·i·fi·er, noun vil·i·fy·ing·ly, adverb un·vil·i·fied, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vilify

vilify villainize

Words nearby vilify

vil., vila, vila nova de gaia, vilayet, vile, vilify, vilipend, vill, villa, villa cisneros, villa home

Words related to vilification

obloquy, aspersion, defamation, smear, detraction, denigration, slander, lying, scandal, calumniation, traducement, calumny, vituperation, malicious

Example sentences from the Web for vilification

British Dictionary definitions for vilification

vilify
/ (ˈvɪlɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to revile with abusive or defamatory language; malign he has been vilified in the tabloid press
rare to make vile; debase; degrade

Derived forms of vilify

vilification (ˌvɪlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən), noun vilifier, noun

Word Origin for vilify

C15: from Late Latin vīlificāre, from Latin vīlis worthless + facere to make