Vilifying

Vilifying means to speak or write about someone or something in an abusively disparaging manner. It involves casting aspersions, defaming, denigrating, or slandering an individual or group, often with the intent to damage their reputation, diminish their standing, or incite negative feelings towards them. The act of vilifying typically involves exaggeration, distortion of facts, and the use of inflammatory language to create a negative impression.

Vilifying meaning with examples

• The political commentator was accused of vilifying his opponents by repeatedly misrepresenting their policies and using derogatory language, swaying public opinion with biased rhetoric. His actions were seen by critics as damaging the public discourse by promoting divisiveness.
• The media outlet came under fire for vilifying a minority group in its coverage of a social issue. The articles employed harmful stereotypes, leading to a significant rise in hateful comments and online harassment against members of the community involved.
• During the trial, the defense attorney relentlessly focused on vilifying the victim, attempting to undermine their credibility and portray them as unreliable. This aggressive strategy was employed to cast doubt on their testimony.
• Social media has become a platform for vilifying public figures. Trolls and anonymous accounts often engage in targeted campaigns, spreading false rumors and using personal attacks to destroy their reputations and cause emotional distress.