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

Example Sentences

Between holding a government accountable for its conduct in war and demonizing an entire people.

From The Wall Street Journal

Paramount CEO David Ellison said at the time that he tapped her to bring to CBS “news that reflects reality” and journalism that “doesn’t seek to demonize, but seeks to understand.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“I think folks are passionate about keeping intellectualism alive especially in this age that is kind of demonizing that,” Felecia says.

From Los Angeles Times

Walz said “we welcome” efforts to root out fraud but criticized rhetoric the governor said was “demonizing an entire population.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“Attempting to classify foods as unhealthy simply because they are processed, or demonizing food by ignoring its full nutrient content, misleads consumers and exacerbates health disparities,” Gallo said.

From Los Angeles Times