vilify
vilify — verb
- vilifypresent simple I / you / we / they
- vilifieshe / she / it
- vilifiedpast simple
- vilifying-ing form
1. to deliberately speak or write harsh and often unfair things about a person or g
to deliberately speak or write harsh and often unfair things about a person or group so that others see them in a bad light
Opposition MPs vilified the new law in parliament, calling it an attack on workers' rights.
vilify + abstract noun (law/policy) as direct object
After the scandal, Kwame felt his former colleagues had vilified him unfairly to protect themselves.
The local newspaper vilified the community centre volunteers as dangerous troublemakers.
Camila was vilified online by strangers who had never even met her.
Farid refused to vilify his opponent during the election campaign, even when pressed by reporters.
- defame
more legal and formal; refers specifically to harming reputation through false statements that could be actionable in court
- slander
narrower — specifically spoken (not written) defamation; also a legal term
- malign
more literary and less aggressive; suggests subtle or indirect harm rather than open attack
- smear
informal, used especially in political contexts for a coordinated campaign of false accusations
文法句型
vilify + noun phrase (person/group/institution)
be vilified + by + agent (who does the vilifying)
be vilified + as + noun/adjective (label given)
vilify + for + noun/gerund (reason for vilifying)
用法筆記
A much stronger word than 'criticise' or 'attack' — vilifying someone always implies an unfair and deliberately damaging intent. Frequently found in political, media, and public-debate contexts.