vilify
/ˈvɪl.ɪ.faɪ/ · vil.\u00b7i.fy
verb
- To say defamatory things about someone or something; to speak ill of. The politician's opponents tried to vilify her reputation by spreading false rumors.
- To belittle through speech; to put down. The comedian's jokes were meant to vilify the celebrity's ego, but they backfired and made him look even more confident.
Did you know? The word 'vilify' has been used in various forms of literature, including Shakespeare's 'Henry IV, Part 2', where the character of Falstaff is accused of vilifying the king's reputation.