demonize
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for demonize, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To change someone or something into a demon.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To change someone or something into a demon.
2. verb
To portray someone or something as wicked, often unfairly.
“He calls for a “massive, urgent recruitment effort,” which is a fine idea, but one that’s likely to be futile unless we stop demonizing teachers and start paying them fairly.”
Opposites
Etymology
Taken from Medieval Latin daemonizō, from daemon + -izō; compare Ancient Greek δαιμονίζομαι (daimonízomai, "to be possessed by a demon"), from δαίμων (daímōn, "demon"). Its surface form breaks down as demon + -ize.
Full origin of demonize →