demythologize

[ dee-mi-thol-uh-jahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·my·thol·o·gized, de·my·thol·o·giz·ing.

1. to divest of mythological or legendary attributes or forms, as in order to permit clearer appraisal and understanding:

   to demythologize the music dramas of Richard Wagner for modern listeners.

2. to make less mysterious or mythical so as to give a more human character to:

   to demythologize the presidency.

verb (used without object)

, de·my·thol·o·gized, de·my·thol·o·giz·ing.

1. to separate mythological, legendary, or apocryphal elements from a writing, work of art, historical figure, etc.

demythologize

/ ˌdiːmɪˈθɒləˌdʒaɪz /

verb

1. to eliminate all mythical elements from (a piece of writing, esp the Bible) so as to arrive at an essential meaning
2. to restate (a message, esp a religious one) in rational terms

Derived Forms

• ˌdemyˌthologiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• demy·tholo·gi·zation noun
• demy·tholo·gizer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of demythologize¹

First recorded in 1945–50; de- + mythologize

Example Sentences

This is all of a piece with the demythologizing trend in Wagner stagings over the past 50 years, especially in Europe.

From New York Times

The school’s announcement in December “is really aimed at demythologizing its history, and this is healthy and much needed,” he wrote in an email.

From Washington Post

Then you go in there and you say, "This is what they are," and humanize and demythologize.

From Salon

“All I had wanted to do was write a novel that demythologized the West. Instead, it became the chief source of Western mythology. Some things you cannot explain.”

From Washington Post

“At a time of grandiose mythologizing, he marshals his considerable storytelling skills to demythologize himself.”

From New York Times