vilify
verb/ˈvɪl.ɪ.faɪ/
Etymology From Late Latin vīlificāre (“vilify”). Equivalent to vile + -ify. Compare vilipend.
1
To say defamatory things about someone or something; to speak ill of.
2
To belittle through speech; to put down.
- As one of the largest producers of genetically modified (GM) seeds in the country, Monsanto has been vilified by activists who describe GM products as 'frankenfood.'2016 April 18, Cristina Alesci, “Monsanto CEO frustrated over 'polarized' GMO debate”, in CNN Business:
- "Those who deliberately vilify China and sabotage the friendship between our two countries and do damage to our long-term friendship and benefits out of their sectoral or selfish interest will be cast aside in history,” he said. “Their children will be ashamed of mentioning their names."2021 March 2, Jason Scott, 王晰宁 [Wang Xining], “China Rips Murdoch’s News Corp. for Reports on Pandemic Origins”, in Bloomberg News, archived from the original on 03 Mar 2021:
- Derived terms
- vilification, vilifiable, vilifier
- Related terms
- vile