What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vilified
Example
The politician was vilified by the media for his controversial statements. [vilified: verb]
Example
The vilification of the celebrity on social media caused her great distress. [vilification: noun]
smear
Example
The company was accused of smearing its competitor's products in its advertising campaign. [smearing: verb]
Example
The politician filed a lawsuit against the newspaper for publishing a smear article about him. [smear: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smear is more commonly used than vilify in everyday language, especially in the context of politics and media. Vilify is less common and may be seen as more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vilified and smear?
Both vilify and smear are associated with a negative connotation and are typically used in informal or negative contexts. However, vilify may be seen as more formal or literary due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.
