vilipender

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vilify, denigrate, waste, squander
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/vi.li.pɑ̃.de/
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To treat someone or something as having little worth, in speech or use.
Practice using vilipender in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Le chroniqueur a vilipendé le ministre dans son éditorial.
    The columnist vilified the minister in his editorial.
  • L'artiste fut vilipendé pour une œuvre jugée provocante.
    The artist was vilified for a work considered provocative.
  • Le rapport reproche au service de vilipender l'énergie.
    The report faults the department for wasting energy.
  • Il a dénoncé les propos qui vilipendaient les habitants du quartier.
    He condemned remarks that vilified the neighbourhood's residents.
  • Elle refuse de vilipender ses anciens collègues.
    She refuses to vilify her former colleagues.

Similar words

décrier
gaspiller
prodiguer
dénigrer
bafouer
vitupérer
honnir
dilapider

Meanings

Attack with contempt

verb
social
literary
To speak about a person or thing with strong public contempt, seeking to damage their standing.

Examples

  • Le chroniqueur a vilipendé le ministre dans son éditorial.
    The columnist vilified the minister in his editorial.
  • Elle refuse de vilipender ses anciens collègues.
    She refuses to vilify her former colleagues.
  • Les opposants vilipendent cette réforme depuis des mois.
    Opponents have been denouncing this reform for months.
  • L'artiste fut vilipendé pour une œuvre jugée provocante.
    The artist was vilified for a work considered provocative.
  • Il a dénoncé les propos qui vilipendaient les habitants du quartier.
    He condemned remarks that vilified the neighbourhood's residents.

Similar words

dénigrer
décrier
bafouer
honnir
vitupérer

Squander resources

verb
resources
neutral
In Swiss French, to waste a resource or spend it carelessly.

Examples

  • En Suisse, on dit qu'il ne faut pas vilipender l'eau potable.
    In Switzerland, people say one should not waste drinking water.
  • Cette entreprise vilipende des matières premières coûteuses.
    This company squanders expensive raw materials.
  • Ils ont vilipendé leur budget en quelques semaines.
    They squandered their budget in a few weeks.
  • Le rapport reproche au service de vilipender l'énergie.
    The report faults the department for wasting energy.
  • Ne vilipendez pas ces réserves, elles sont limitées.
    Do not squander these reserves; they are limited.

Similar words

gaspiller
dilapider
prodiguer

Etymology

From Medieval Latin vilipendere, “to value cheaply”, built from Latin vilis, “worth little”, and pendere, “to weigh or assess”.

FAQ

What does vilipender mean?

Usually to attack with contempt or publicly denigrate.

Does it have a Swiss meaning?

Yes, in Swiss French it can mean to waste or squander.

Can an idea be vilipendée?

Yes, a policy, doctrine or work can be denounced contemptuously.

Is the common sense literary?

Yes, it has a literary or elevated tone.

What is the past participle?

Vilipendé.

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