demythologize

American  

[dee-mi-thol-uh-jahyz] / ˌdi mɪˈθɒl əˌdʒaɪz /

especially British, demythologise

verb (used with object)

demythologized, demythologizing

1. to divest of mythological or legendary attributes or forms, as in order to permit clearer appraisal and understanding.

   to demythologize the music dramas of Richard Wagner for modern listeners.

2. to make less mysterious or mythical so as to give a more human character to.

   to demythologize the presidency.

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verb (used without object)

demythologized, demythologizing

1. to separate mythological, legendary, or apocryphal elements from a writing, work of art, historical figure, etc.

demythologize British  

/ ˌdiːmɪˈθɒləˌdʒaɪz /

verb

1. to eliminate all mythical elements from (a piece of writing, esp the Bible) so as to arrive at an essential meaning

2. to restate (a message, esp a religious one) in rational terms

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Other Word Forms

• demythologization noun
• demythologizer noun

Etymology

Origin of demythologize

First recorded in 1945–50; de- + mythologize

Example Sentences

She wants to demythologize PMDD’s sources to figure out whether these spurts of female rage are really based in human biology.

From Slate • Jul. 25, 2018

Regrettably, this does not lead to keener insights into his plays, and sometimes Winters’s efforts to demythologize Shepard come across as the desire to take him down a peg or two.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2017

He sought to demythologize death, to debunk romantic notions of dying with dignity, to acknowledge death’s messiness.

From New York Times • Dec. 30, 2014

While repeating a vow to cooperate with lawmakers, he added: "We have to demythologize this issue, and certainly depoliticize it."

From Reuters • Apr. 30, 2013

His archives also contain a later attempt at a sequel that deals with his years as president and was intended to demythologize him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2011