What does demonize mean?
To demonize is to portray a person, group, idea, or practice as evil, wicked, or dangerously threatening — often in a way that is exaggerated, unfair, or dehumanizing. The verb is most at home in discussions of politics, media, and social conflict: commentators speak of opponents being demonized by rivals, immigrants being demonized in campaign rhetoric, or entire industries being demonized in public debate. Its force lies in its connotation: describing someone as 'demonized' suggests that the criticism has crossed from legitimate disagreement into moral condemnation that strips away nuance and humanity. Derived from 'demon', the word entered English in the nineteenth century and has since become a staple of journalistic and academic prose. It pairs readily with nouns like opponent, rival, minority, and enemy, and it frequently appears in passive constructions ('was demonized as...'), underscoring how often the labeling is done by others. Understanding 'demonize' helps readers name a familiar rhetorical move: turning disagreement into a battle of good versus evil.
verbTo portray someone or something as wicked, evil, or dangerous; to represent as a demon or as demonic. It is typically used of unfair or exaggerated condemnation in public discourse.
- To portray or represent (a person, group, or thing) as evil, wicked, or threatening, especially unfairly or exaggeratedly.
"Political opponents were demonized as enemies of the state."
"The press demonized the striker after a single missed penalty."
"Critics argue the film demonizes an entire community rather than examining its complexities."
When the ancient Greeks named their 'daimones' — guiding spirits between gods and mortals — they could hardly have imagined the word would one day fuel political attack ads.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of demonize
Demonize derives from 'demon', which traces back through Latin 'daemon' to Greek 'daimon', originally meaning a divine or semi-divine spirit before acquiring its later sense of an evil being. The verb was formed with the suffix '-ize', meaning 'to make or render as', and appeared in English in the nineteenth century. It shares this Greek root with related words such as 'demonic', 'demonology', and 'pandemonium'.
Related word forms
How demonize is actually used
The word carries a strong negative connotation and often implies that the portrayal is unjust or exaggerated — calling something 'demonized' usually signals sympathy for the target. It is common in political, media, and social commentary and is slightly formal to journalistic in register. British English also permits the spelling 'demonise'.
Easily confused with demonize
Demonise is simply the British spelling of the same word; demonize is the standard American spelling.