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Vilification Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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vilification

[หŒvษชlษชfษชหˆkeษชสƒษ™n ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

verbal abuse

Vilification refers to the act of speaking or writing about someone in an abusively disparaging manner. It often involves making false or misleading statements about a person to damage their reputation.

Synonyms

defamation, denigration, libel, slander.

Examples of usage

  • The vilification of the politician during the campaign was widely criticized.
  • She faced severe vilification after the scandal broke.
  • The media's vilification of the celebrity was relentless.
  • His vilification of his opponent was seen as unacceptable.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In literature, vilification is often employed by characters to tarnish their rivalsโ€™ reputations, demonstrating the power of words.
  • Famous novels frequently depict vilification to reveal themes of betrayal and social conflict, such as in 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller.

Psychology

  • Vilification can affect the mental health of its targets, leading to effects such as depression and anxiety due to social rejection.
  • Psychologically, vilifying others can serve as a defense mechanism, where individuals project their insecurities onto others.

Social Media

  • In the age of social media, vilification can spread quickly, where one negative comment can snowball into widespread reputation damage.
  • Online vilification has led to discussions about cyberbullying, as individuals hide behind anonymous accounts to demean others.

Legal Implications

  • Vilification can sometimes cross into legal territory, especially in cases of defamation, where false statements harm someoneโ€™s reputation.
  • Laws vary by country, but many places have provisions against vilification to protect individuals from harassment and slander.

Origin of 'vilification'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'vilification' comes from the Latin word 'vilificare', which means 'to make cheap or low' and relates to making someone seem worthless.
  • It combines 'vile', meaning morally bad or wicked, with the suffix '-ification', which denotes an act or process.

The word 'vilification' comes from the Latin 'vilificare', which means 'to make cheap or trifling'. This Latin term is derived from 'vilis', signifying 'cheap' or 'low', and the suffix '-ficare', meaning 'to make'. The use of 'vilification' in the English language can be traced back to the late 19th century, reflecting a broader trend of borrowing from Latin. Initially used in legal contexts, it has since evolved to describe social and political situations where individuals or groups are subjected to derogatory remarks that seek to undermine their standing. Over time, 'vilification' has become a pertinent term in discussions around defamation and character attacks, highlighting the negative effects of such actions on public figures and ordinary individuals alike.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,045 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.