Villified

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To undergo severe censure or blame that results in being publicly scorned or denigrated To face harsh treatment or disparagement, leading to a significant decrease in esteem and trust To be subjected to malicious criticism that harms one's reputation and leads to social exclusion or derision
2. To be portrayed in an extremely negative way that damages reputation and causes others to view one unfavorably
3. To experience intense blame or derogatory treatment that causes social rejection or diminished standing

Etymology: The usual spelling has one "l": "vilified." Its root is Latin "vilis," meaning cheap, common, or worthless. Combined with "facere," to make, it formed "vilificare," so to vilify someone was originally to make them cheap. The same root gave English "vile," which reached us through Old French "vil." The sense moved from monetary worth to moral worth: something of little value came to be seen as base in character. That moral judgment is what the verb carries today when it means to heap abuse on someone's reputation.

Synonyms: slandered, defamed, maligned

Antonyms: honored, praised