vilify Definition

vilify
verb

vilifies, vilified, vilifying
1. To say insulting or abusive things about someone or something; to malign or defame someone.

Thesaurus: defame, asperse, malign, slander, berate, criticize, denigrate, denounce, disparage, stigmatize, smear, badmouth (US slang); Antonym: compliment, glorify, eulogize, adore.

Derivative: vilifier
noun

Etymology: 16c in this sense; 15c in sense ‘to lower in value': from Latin vilificare to make worthless or base.