-ˌfī verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English vilifien, from Late Latin vilificare, from Latin vilis cheap, base, vile + -ficare -fy — more at vile
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make less valuable or important : lower in estimation
declare that opposition to the established system was an effort to destroy and vilify religion — C.L.Jones
b. obsolete : to make morally despicable or abhorrent : degrade
themselves they vilified to serve ungoverned appetite — John Milton
2.
a. obsolete : to speak slightingly or contemptuously of
the disposition of vulgar minds to ridicule and vilify what they cannot comprehend — Samuel Johnson
b. : to utter slanderous and abusive statements against : denounce unjustly or abuse as hateful or vile : defame , traduce
his policies … attacked; his personal character vilified — William Peden
intransitive verb
1. : to cause a person to become vile
nothing vilifies and degrades more than pride — Earl of Chesterfield
2. : to utter or publish slander
Synonyms: see malign