demonize

[dee-muh-nahyz]

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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

Related Words for demonize

demean, deprecate, criticize, disparage, diminish, vilify

Examples from the Web for demonize

Contemporary Examples of demonize

Some historians say that the Christian church gave Satan horns to demonize the Wiccan faith.
‘Gods of Suburbia’: Dina Goldstein’s Arresting Photo Series on Religion vs. Consumerism
Dina Goldstein
November 8, 2014
The proponents of these laws will demonize Muslims while making the case for these measures.
13 Years After 9/11, Anti-Muslim Bigotry Is Worse Than Ever
Dean Obeidallah
September 11, 2014
It possesses the power to both humanize and demonize minority groups.
Why Muslims Hate Terrorism More
Dean Obeidallah
August 12, 2014
Democrats have certainly done their fair share of utilizing the race card in the Obama era to demonize their political opponents.
Eric Cantor’s Last, Legacy-Burnishing Task: Update the VRA
Ron Christie
June 16, 2014
You demonize the evil genius and you make the president look weak.
Dick and Lynne Cheney Play the Founding Fathers for Laughs
Eleanor Clift
May 13, 2014

Historical Examples of demonize

His choices free or fetter, elevate or debase, deify or demonize his humanity.
Tablets
Amos Bronson Alcott
The tendency to sentimentalize nature has, in our time, largely taken the place of the old tendency to demonize and spiritize it.
Ways of Nature
John Burroughs

British Dictionary definitions for demonize

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 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.