Middle English vilifien, from Late Latin vilificare, from Latin vilis cheap, vile
verb
to utter slanderous and abusive statements against : defame
to lower in estimation or importance
maligntraduceaspersevilifycalumniatedefameslander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying. traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.