Smear
Smear verb - To make untrue and harmful statements about.
Usage example: he is willing to smear his opponent if doing so would win the election
Vilify is a synonym for smear in slander topic. In some cases you can use "Vilify" instead a verb "Smear", when it comes to topics like sully, malign, tarnish a reputation.
Vilify
Vilify verb - To make untrue and harmful statements about.
Usage example: claimed that she had been vilified by the press because of her conservative views
Smear is a synonym for vilify in malign topic. You can use "Smear" instead the word "Vilify" as a verb or a noun, if it concerns topics such as slander, criticize very harshly.
Mutual synonyms
Cite this Source
Vilify and Smear. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/smear/vilify
Smear & Vilify. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/smear/vilify>.
Vilify or Smear. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/smear/vilify.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "smear" and "vilify" have occurred on timeline