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demonize
[dee-muh-nahyz]
verb (used with object)
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.”
to subject to the influence of demons.
demonize
/ ˈ徱ːəˌԲɪ /
verb
to make into or like a demon
to subject to demonic influence
to mark out or describe as evil or culpable
the technique of demonizing the enemy in the run-up to war
Other 51Թ Forms
- demonization noun
51Թ History and Origins
Example Sentences
For example, the president campaigned on aggressive immigration enforcement, which is certainly a valid policy choice, but the administration has deported people without due process and demonized them in their rhetoric.
The constant doom spread by media-driven conflict profiteers that use California high-speed rail to demonize things social in America makes us defiant.
“That’s something some current political leaders don’t want you to realize. They want to demonize them and to scapegoat them.”
“He always finds a distraction,” Padilla said, “and, when all else fails, he goes back to demonizing and scapegoating immigrants. … He creates a crisis to get us all talking about something else.”
Her fatuousness became a source of strength with that crowd because it fueled what they really loved: her ability to demonize anyone she didn't consider a "real" American.
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Related 51Թs
When To Use
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.
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