demonize
verb
de·mon·ize
ˈdē-mə-ˌnīz 
demonized; demonizing; demonizes
: to portray (someone or something) as evil or as worthy of contempt or blame : vilify
But the Senate hearings have a broader purpose than exposing I.R.S. sins. They are a central element in a campaign by Congressional Republicans to demonize the tax agency, already the least loved of all Government bureaucracies.—
John M. Broder
John M. BroderThe point is not to demonize business leaders. Their reasons for not hiring make eminent sense, given the incentives of the marketplace and the imperative to remain competitive.—Zachary Karabell
Zachary KarabellViolence in the media has become the whipping boy of choice in these hypocritical times. It's easier to demonize a movie screen than to deal with the thorny issues of crime, racism, drugs, poverty and gun control.—Peter Travers
Peter TraversFor those who would forge a new environmental ethic, there is a constant temptation to demonize technology and deify nature.—Gina Maranto
Gina Maranto
demonization
noun
plural demonizations
In the Washington of Clinton and Gingrich, Dole and Buchanan, … the demonization of one's political foes has reached an epic frenzy.
—Stryker McGuire and David Ansen
Stryker McGuire and David Ansen
Examples of demonize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kevin Carter/Getty Images Support for allowing the lawsuit isn't about demonizing the police.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
The apathetic opposition stays away because of the campaign ads that demonize the opposition.
—Daily Southtown, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
Not only have their applications paused in many cases, but they are also being demonized as criminals for not being able to continue the legal process.
—Karen Tumlin, Time, 6 May 2025
After demonizing and driving out undocumented workers — who built much of Florida’s construction, agriculture and service sectors — the state seems to think teenagers should be happy to take their place.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for demonize
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
The apathetic opposition stays away because of the campaign ads that demonize the opposition.
—Daily Southtown, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025
Not only have their applications paused in many cases, but they are also being demonized as criminals for not being able to continue the legal process.
—Karen Tumlin, Time, 6 May 2025
After demonizing and driving out undocumented workers — who built much of Florida’s construction, agriculture and service sectors — the state seems to think teenagers should be happy to take their place.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for demonize
Cite this Entry
“Demonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demonize. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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