demonize

American  

[dee-muh-nahyz] / ˈdi məˌnaɪz /

especially British, demonise

verb (used with object)

demonized, demonizing

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.

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demonize British  

/ 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

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Usage

What does demonize mean? To demonize something or someone is to mark or describe it as evil, as one would a demon. When something or someone is figuratively demonized like this, it is treated as undesirable or disrespectful. Being is demonized in this way often means being avoided or ignored by certain groups. Literally, to demonize is to turn something into a demon or to make it demonlike, as in The wizard spoke the spell that would transform a frog into a demon, demonizing it to create a powerful weapon. To demonize is also to subject demonic, or evil, influence, as in A mage demonized me, and now a demon torments my every waking hour. Some cultures and religions believe demons exist, while others believe they are only fictional characters. Example: The senator was so demonized for his beliefs that he could not win reelection.

Other Word Forms

• demonization noun

Etymology

Origin of demonize

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

Explanation

To demonize someone is to characterize them as evil or wicked, whether or not they actually are. It's distressingly common in politics for one party to demonize members of the opposing party. This verb literally means "to make into a demon.” Demon means "evil spirit," so when you demonize someone, you portray them that way. This tactic shows up in propaganda and politics all the time. If you’re running for class president, don’t demonize your opponent just to get votes — instead, engage in cordial debate about the issues.

Example Sentences

He also knows how to be comfortable in that space, and still find ways to humanize himself to an audience trying desperately to demonize him.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

The term carried an especially chilling, historical weight at a conference held in Germany; Nazis had used it in their aggressive propaganda campaign against Jews, Communists and others the government wanted to demonize.

From Salon • Feb. 17, 2026

What’s needed is a pragmatic and courageous paradigm shift, one that begins with naming and recognizing the contemporary libels used to demonize Jews.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

When Paramount Skydance paid $150 million to acquire Weiss’ operation, CEO David Ellison said he wanted journalism that “reflects reality” and “doesn’t seek to demonize, but seeks to understand.”

From Salon • Dec. 22, 2025

The tendency to sentimentalize nature has, in our time, largely taken the place of the old tendency to demonize and spiritize it.

From Ways of Nature by Burroughs, John