5 results for: vilify

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

vil·i·fy

Audio Help [vil-uh-fahy] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing.

1.	to speak ill of; defame; slander.

2.	Obsolete. to make vile.

[Origin: 1400–50; late ME < LL vīlificāre. See vile, -fy

]

—Related forms

vil·i·fi·ca·tion, noun

vil·i·fi·er, noun

vil·i·fy·ing·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 1. depreciate, disparage, calumniate, malign, abuse, asperse, blacken.

—Antonyms 1. commend.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
vilify

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

vil·i·fy Audio Help (vĭl'ə-fī') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. vil·i·fied, vil·i·fy·ing, vil·i·fies
To make vicious and defamatory statements about. See Synonyms at malign.

[Middle English vilifien, from Late Latin vīlificāre, to hold cheap : Latin vīlis, cheap; see wes-³ in Indo-European roots + Latin -ficāre, -fy.]

vil'i·fi·ca'tion (-fĭ-kā'shən) n., vil'i·fi'er n.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
vilify

1450, "to lower in worth or value," from L.L. vilificare "to make cheap or base," from L. vilis "cheap, base" (see vile) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Meaning "to slander, speak evil of" is first recorded 1598.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

vilify
verb
spread negative information about; "The Nazi propaganda vilified the Jews"

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