demonize

[ dee-muh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·mon·ized, de·mon·iz·ing.

1. to misrepresent (someone or something) as thoroughly evil or contemptible; malign:

   He’s grown used to demonizing his opponents, replacing their true identities and arguments with easily despised caricatures.

   “There’s no reason to demonize plastic,” she said, “but I agree that it’s grossly overused.”

2. to subject to the influence of demons.

demonize

/ ˈdiːməˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to make into or like a demon
2. to subject to demonic influence
3. to mark out or describe as evil or culpable

   the technique of demonizing the enemy in the run-up to war

Other Words From

• de·mon·i·za·tion [dee-m, uh, -nahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of demonize¹

First recorded in 1815–25; from Medieval Latin daemonizāre, equivalent to Late Latin daemon demon + -izāre -ize

Example Sentences

She equated women openly refusing to date Trump supporters to those mythical misandrists who "demonize men altogether."

From Salon

During election season, expect to hear Republicans peddle falsehoods about abortion to discredit it and demonize the people who provide or support it.

From Los Angeles Times

“As long as I’m governor of Minnesota, we’ll be a state that respects democracy, a place where we’re proud of our civic debate and where we don’t demonize people who disagree with us,” Walz said.

From Salon

Anti-abortion leaders relentlessly demonize these women, calling them liars or worse.

From Salon

I get it: they’re easy to demonize, especially if you’re a liberal or leftist news junkie living on the Upper West Side of New York or in Takoma Park, Maryland, or Cambridge, Massachusetts; you read the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, or Politico; and your Monday nights are built around watching Rachel Maddow and Jon Stewart.

From Salon

Related Words

• diabolize