As verbs the difference between vilify and villainize
is that vilify is to say defamatory things about someone or something while villainize is to represent as a villain.
vilify
English
Verb
(en-verb)
To say defamatory things about someone or something.
To belittle through speech; to put down.
Synonyms
* (say defamatory things about) assail, criticize, decry, denounce, libel, slander
* berate
* See also
Related terms
* vilification
* vilifier
villainize
English
Alternative forms
* villainise
Verb
(villainiz)
To represent as a villain.
See also
* demonize
* vilify