demonize

[dee-muh-nahyz]

verb (used with object), de·mon·ized, de·mon·iz·ing.

to turn into a demon or make demonlike.

to subject to the influence of demons.

Also especially British, de·mon·ise.

Origin of demonize

1815–25; < Medieval Latin daemonizāre, equivalent to Late Latin daemon demon + -izāre -ize

Related formsde·mon·i·za·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for demonization

Contemporary Examples of demonization

“The demonization of black people in popular working-class culture is one way to work through anxieties about class,” Guterl said.
Why It’s Time to End Blackface, Finally
Soraya Roberts
October 31, 2013
The reasons for the widespread suppression of the official Palestinian demonization of Jews and Israel are easily discernible.
Hazineh Calls for the Murder of Jews and the Mainstream Press Stays Silent
Martin Krossel
August 15, 2013
Faced with demonization that he wanted to demolish the welfare state, Romney selected the guy who wrote the plan.
When You Can't Run As a Moderate in 2012...
Justin Green
November 8, 2012
Since its demonization by Ronald Reagan, regulation has been a favorite punching bag for the right.
Why Regulation Matters: Investigating the Meningitis Outbreak
Kent Sepkowitz
October 18, 2012
Michelle Goldberg on the Republican disconnect—and the demonization of an undecided voter.
Michelle Goldberg on the GOP’s Delusional Debate Night
Michelle Goldberg
October 17, 2012

Historical Examples of demonization

Unreflected celebration of technocracy as the sole agent of change must be treated with the same suspicion as its demonization.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin

British Dictionary definitions for demonization

demonize

demonise

verb (tr)

to make into or like a demon

to subject to demonic influence

to mark out or describe as evil or culpablethe technique of demonizing the enemy in the run-up to war

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for demonization

demonize

1821, "to make into a demon" (literally or figuratively), from Medieval Latin daemonizare, from Latin daemon (see demon). Greek daimonizesthai meant "to be possessed by a demon." Related: Demonized; demonizing.