What does diabolize mean?
Diabolize is a formal verb meaning to portray someone or something as wicked, evil, or devil-like — often in a way that exaggerates or distorts. It derives from the Greek diabolos, meaning 'slanderer' or 'accuser,' the same root that gives us both 'devil' and 'diabolical.' The word typically appears in discussions of propaganda, media coverage, political rhetoric, and moral criticism, where one party seeks to cast another as monstrous or beyond redemption. To say that a campaign 'diabolized' its opponents implies not merely harsh criticism but a deliberate transformation of them into figures of pure evil. Though closely related to the far more common 'demonize,' diabolize carries a more explicit association with the Devil himself, lending it a literary or rhetorical force suited to formal writing. It remains a comparatively rare but vivid choice for describing the rhetoric of vilification.
verbTo portray or represent someone or something as evil, wicked, or devil-like; to treat as though possessed of demonic qualities.
- To represent or portray a person, group, or thing as wicked or devil-like, especially unfairly or exaggeratedly.
- To attribute demonic or satanic qualities to something; to treat as though it embodies evil.
"The press tended to diabolize the opposition leader, portraying him as a threat to the nation itself."
"Propaganda during the war sought to diabolize the enemy in the eyes of the public."
"Critics argued that the film diabolizes technology rather than examining its complexities."
Every time English speakers call someone 'a devil,' they're echoing the original Greek: 'diabolos' literally meant 'slanderer' — so to diabolize someone is, etymologically speaking, to slander them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of diabolize
Diabolize comes from the Greek diabolos, meaning 'slanderer' or 'accuser,' formed from diaballein, 'to throw across' or 'to slander.' Latin adopted the word as diabolus, from which English derived both 'devil' and 'diabolical.' The verb diabolize was formed in English by adding the suffix -ize to this stem, on the pattern of other -ize verbs; it has been in use since roughly the early nineteenth century. Its closest relatives include 'diabolical,' 'diabolism,' and the French borrowing 'diablerie.'
Related word forms
How diabolize is actually used
Formal and relatively rare in everyday speech; 'demonize' is the standard choice in most contexts. Diabolize tends to appear in academic, literary, or critical writing where the writer wants a slightly stronger, more literal evocation of devilry.
Easily confused with diabolize
Demonize is the far more common term for portraying someone as evil; diabolize carries a more literal sense of casting someone as devil-like and is rarer and more formal.
Diabolical is an adjective meaning extremely evil or wicked, while diabolize is the verb describing the act of portraying something that way.