What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
villainize
Example
The movie tends to villainize the antagonist, making him seem more evil than he actually is. [villainize: verb]
Example
The politician tried to villainize his opponent by spreading false rumors and accusations. [villainize: verb]
vilify
Example
The journalist wrote an article that vilified the CEO, accusing him of corruption and fraud. [vilified: past participle]
Example
The social media comments were filled with people vilifying the celebrity for her controversial statements. [vilifying: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vilify is more commonly used than villainize in everyday language. Vilify is a more versatile and widely used word, while villainize is less common and more specific to certain contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between villainize and vilify?
Both villainize and vilify are generally considered informal and negative words. However, vilify can be used in more formal contexts such as legal or academic writing, while villainize is typically associated with storytelling or media.
