What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
backbitten
Example
She was hurt when she found out that her friends had been backbiting about her. [backbiting: verb]
Example
The office environment was toxic, with constant backbiting and negativity. [backbiting: noun]
vilify
Example
The tabloids constantly vilify celebrities, spreading false stories to sell more copies. [vilify: verb]
Example
He filed a lawsuit against the newspaper for vilification, as they published defamatory articles about him. [vilification: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vilify is more commonly used than backbitten in everyday language. Vilify is a stronger term that is often used in discussions about public figures, media, or legal matters. Backbitten is less common and tends to be used in more informal or personal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between backbitten and vilify?
While vilify is associated with a more formal and serious tone, backbitten is less formal and can be used in casual conversations or storytelling.
