vilify

English
WOTD – 27 February 2007

Etymology

From Late Latin vīlificāre, present active infinitive of vīlificō (“vilify”),

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈvɪl.ɪ.faɪ/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Verb

vilify (third-person singular simple present vilifies, present participle vilifying, simple past and past participle vilified)

  1. (transitive) To say defamatory things about someone or something; to speak ill of.
    Synonyms: abuse, assail, criticize, decry, denigrate, demonize, denounce, libel, revile, slander, run down; see also Thesaurus:defame
    Antonyms: glorify, praise
  2. (transitive) To belittle through speech; to put down.
    Synonyms: berate; see also Thesaurus:criticize
    Antonyms: glorify, praise

Derived terms

Translations
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