vilifier

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

vil•i•fy /ˈvɪləˌfaɪ/   v. [~ + object] , -fied, -fy•ing. 

1. to say or write bad things about (someone); defame;
   slander.

vil•i•fi•ca•tion /ˌvɪləfɪˈkeɪʃən/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

vil•i•fy  (vil′ə fī′), v.t., -fied, -fy•ing. 

1. to speak ill of;
   defame;
   slander.
2. [Obs.] to make vile.

• Late Latin vīlificāre. See vile, -fy
• late Middle English 1400–50

vil′i•fi•ca′tion, n. 
vil′i•fi′er, n. 
vil′i•fy′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. depreciate, disparage, calumniate, malign, abuse, asperse, blacken.

Antonyms

• 1. commend.