What does demonisation mean?
Demonisation is the act of portraying someone or something as evil, wicked, or dangerous — frequently in terms so extreme that nuance is lost. Derived from 'demon', it entered English in the nineteenth century alongside related forms such as 'demonize'. In modern usage it appears overwhelmingly in discussions of politics, media, and public discourse: journalists may speak of the demonisation of migrants, politicians may accuse opponents of demonising their policies, and sociologists study how groups become targets of demonisation during moral panics. Because the term implies exaggeration or unfairness, calling something 'demonisation' is itself a criticism — it suggests the subject has been caricatured rather than fairly examined. The word is formal to neutral in register and is spelled 'demonisation' in British English and 'demonization' in American English. Its enduring relevance lies in how neatly it captures a recurring feature of polarised debate: reducing opponents to symbols of pure evil.
nounThe act or process of representing someone or something as evil, wicked, or dangerous, especially in a way that is exaggerated or unfair. It also refers to the treatment of a person as though they were a demon.
- The act of describing or portraying someone or something as wicked or evil, often unfairly (e.g. media demonisation of a group).
- Rare/literal: treating or regarding a person or thing as a demon.
"The tabloids' relentless demonisation of immigrants shaped public opinion for decades."
"Critics accused the press of demonisation, turning a complex policy debate into a story about monsters."
"In medieval folklore, the priest's sermon warned against the demonisation of natural phenomena that science would later explain."
The plural is rare because the word usually functions as an uncountable mass noun referring to a general process; the plural appears mainly when discussing multiple distinct instances.
"Historians have documented repeated demonisations of minority groups throughout the twentieth century."
The same Greek root that gives us 'demon' also gives us 'pandemonium' — a word coined by John Milton as the name for the capital city of Hell.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of demonisation
Demonisation derives from the verb 'demonize', which was formed in the early nineteenth century from 'demon' plus the suffix '-ize', itself ultimately from Greek 'daímōn', meaning a spirit or divine power. The Greek word passed into Latin as 'daemon' before entering English via Old French in the Middle Ages, where its meaning narrowed from any supernatural being to specifically an evil spirit under Christian influence. The noun 'demonisation' follows the standard pattern of forming action nouns with '-ation', a Latinate suffix, giving cognates across European languages such as French 'démonisation' and German 'Dämonisierung'.
Related word forms
How demonisation is actually used
Chiefly British spelling with '-isation'; American English typically uses 'demonization'. The word carries a strongly negative connotation and is most common in political commentary, media criticism, and sociology, where it implies an unfair or excessive portrayal rather than legitimate criticism.
Easily confused with demonisation
Demonisation means portraying someone as evil, whereas a demonstration is a public protest or act of showing something.