Villainize vs. Vilify

Villainizeverb

(transitive) To represent as a villain.

Vilifyverb

(transitive) To say defamatory things about someone or something; to speak ill of.

Vilifyverb

(transitive) To belittle through speech; to put down.

Vilifyverb

To make vile; to debase; to degrade; to disgrace.

‘When themselves they vilifiedTo serve ungoverned appetite.’;

Vilifyverb

To degrade or debase by report; to defame; to traduce; to calumniate.

‘Many passions dispose us to depress and vilify the merit of one rising in the esteem of mankind.’;

Vilifyverb

To treat as vile; to despise.

‘I do vilify your censure.’;

Vilifyverb

spread negative information about;

‘The Nazi propaganda vilified the Jews’;

Vilifyverb

speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner

‘he has been vilified in the press’;