I was vilified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was vilified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone has been harshly criticized or publicly shamed. Example: "After the scandal broke, I was vilified in the media, and it took a toll on my mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"But I was vilified the most.

The Guardian

I was vilified: I have at least six scrap books full of the headlines and ugliness of it all.

The Guardian

"It wasn't that rare, I guess a lot of people went into hiding after this case because I was out there and I was vilified by every newspaper in Melbourne," Tovey said.

The Guardian

"For the first few months after I left the club I was vilified and criticised mainly because I came up the A49.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The fact I'm vilified makes me stand up even more," he said.

The New York Times

And then, when I finally do, at no small personal cost, roll out of bed, drag myself down to the nearest polling booth (whatever one of those is) and put a cross in a box, I am vilified again, this time for putting it in the wrong box, and warned of the savage consequences of a decision I never wanted to make in the first place.

Independent

"Because I am blue, increasingly I am vilified," declares the Sergeant's Benevolent Association, one of New York City's major police unions, in a new video.

Vice

And then, suddenly, it was vilified as greedy and corrupt.

Forbes

"I don't know if I hesitated for a minute because I thought I'd be vilified for the next 30 years, but I gave him a cuff across the leg, and then I did what I thought was probably the most egregious thing of all: I threw his shoe on the ice".

The New York Times - Sports

He was vilified and hounded into resigning.

The New Yorker

Kissinger, in particular, was vilified.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was vilified" to express a strong sense of having been unfairly and harshly criticized, especially in a public context. Be mindful of the intensity of the word; it is not appropriate for minor disagreements.

Common error

Avoid using "I was vilified" in situations where the criticism was minor or justified. This phrase conveys a sense of severe injustice, so using it inappropriately can diminish its impact and make you seem overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was vilified" functions as a declarative statement expressing the speaker's experience of being subjected to harsh and unfair criticism, often publicly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was vilified" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a strong sense of being unfairly and harshly criticized, often publicly. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase, and it is categorized as relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the situation warrants such a strong term, as overuse can diminish its impact. Related phrases like "I was condemned" or "I was denounced" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Be mindful of the intensity, and use it to suggest unjust treatment and a sense of being wronged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was condemned

This suggests a formal declaration of disapproval, often by an authority.

I was denounced

Implies a public and forceful expression of disapproval.

I was criticized harshly

Focuses on the severity of the criticism received.

I was publicly shamed

Highlights the element of public humiliation.

I was scapegoated

Implies being unfairly blamed for something.

I was ostracized

Emphasizes exclusion from a group or society.

I was unfairly targeted

Highlights the injustice of being singled out for criticism or blame.

I was attacked

Suggests a more aggressive form of criticism or opposition.

I was subject to ridicule

Focuses on being mocked or laughed at publicly.

I was given a hard time

A more informal way of expressing that someone experienced difficulties or criticism.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I was vilified"?

Saying "I was vilified" means you experienced harsh and unfair criticism, often publicly, leading to a damaged reputation. It implies unjust treatment and a strong sense of having been wronged.

How to use "I was vilified" in a sentence?

Use "I was vilified" to describe a situation where you believe you were unfairly and severely criticized. For example: "After the article was published, "I was vilified" by the online community."

What can I say instead of "I was vilified"?

You can use alternatives like "I was condemned", "I was denounced", or "I was harshly criticized" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "I was vilified" and "I was criticized"?

"I was criticized" is a general statement about receiving negative feedback. ""I was vilified"" implies a more severe and often unfair public condemnation, suggesting a deliberate attempt to damage your reputation.