To vilify someone means to say cruel and damaging things about them, trying to make others see that person as evil or worthless. When someone vilifies another person, they go beyond honest criticism or disagreement. They attack the person's character with harsh, often unfair accusations meant to destroy their reputation.

You might see vilification in history books, where writers describe how certain groups vilified others to turn public opinion against them. In school, if students spread mean rumors to make everyone hate a classmate, they're vilifying that person. Politicians sometimes vilify their opponents instead of simply disagreeing with their policies.

Vilifying differs from regular insults because it's systematic and deliberate, meant to completely ruin how others view someone.

Notice that you can disagree strongly with someone, or even point out real flaws, without vilifying them. Vilification crosses a line: it means painting someone as a villain, usually with exaggeration or outright lies. When you vilify someone, you're not trying to be fair or truthful. You're trying to make people despise them.