demonize
Americanverb (used with object)
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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.”
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to subject to the influence of demons.
verb
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to make into or like a demon
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to subject to demonic influence
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to mark out or describe as evil or culpable
the technique of demonizing the enemy in the run-up to war
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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
At the time of her appointment, David Ellison said he hired Weiss 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 • Dec. 22, 2025
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 • Dec. 9, 2025
His choices free or fetter, elevate or debase, deify or demonize his humanity.
From Tablets by Alcott, Amos Bronson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
