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Glite Dictionary
diabolization

diabolization

9.7
Portraying a person or group as evil to make people dislike them
  • noun
  • /ˌdaɪəˌbɒlɪˈzeɪʃən/
  • US
translation icon : diabolización
  • The diabolization of the opposing side in the media led to increased hostility.

Examples

  • Why is there such a diabolization of differing opinions?

  • Some critics argue that the film relies too much on the diabolization of its main villain.

  • Political campaigns often use diabolization to sway public opinion against their rivals.

  • The diabolization was unfair.

  • The recent media coverage has led to the diabolization of the protestors, ignoring their main concerns.

  • In the story, the villain's diabolization made it easy for the audience to root for the hero.

  • The politician's diabolization of his opponents only fueled further division among the voters.

Synonyms

demonization
vsdiabolization
  • Literature
9 7.9

Treating a person or group as if they are evil to make others dislike them

portrays someone as evil or devilish without unfair intent or propaganda

How Extreme

diabolization
  • US
9.7
demonization
  • Literature
9 7.9
vilification
  • Formal
6 8.4
attack
548 3.2
criticism
512 3.0

Surface Forms

diabolization singular
diabolizations plural

Morphology

diabolization = diabolize (transparent) = diabol + ize + ation

Standard deverbal noun formation from 'diabolize' + '-ation'; the meaning denotes the act or process of portraying as devilish.

Etymology

The word diabolization comes from the Greek root diabol-, meaning 'devil' or 'slanderer', so to diabolize someone is to make them look like the devil. That is why diabolization means the act of showing a person or group as evil or like a devil.