FreeVocabulary
Vilify
/ˈvɪlɪˌfaɪ/ verb mediumTo speak about someone in a harshly critical way that damages their reputation.
The tabloids vilified the actress for months over a rumor that later proved false.
Memory Trick
Vilify comes from 'vilis,' meaning cheap or worthless -- to vilify someone is to make them sound exactly that worthless in public.