Vilify
mediumNegative toneVIL-ih-fy
verb
Definition
To speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner
Memory hook
VIL-IFY: to make someone seem VILE — speaking about them in a hatefully disparaging way.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The press vilified the disgraced politician.”
“Critics vilified her work unfairly.”
Categories
GRE Tip
Vilify is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "malign" or "defame" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "extol".
Related GRE Words
malign
To speak about someone in a harmful or untruthful way; evil in nature
denigrate
To criticize unfairly; to disparage or belittle
disparage
To regard or represent as being of little worth; to belittle
revile
To criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner
berate
To scold or criticize someone angrily and at length
censure
To express severe disapproval of someone or something, especially in a formal statement
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