to diabolize

9.9

To make a person or group seem very evil

verb
/ˈdaɪəˌbəlˌaɪz/

: diabolizar

The media often diabolizes individuals involved in scandals, portraying them as villains.

Examples

In fiction, the antagonist is frequently diabolized to enhance the drama of the story.
Although his and his allies' complicity in war crimes justifies their moral and legal condemnation, diabolizing them serves no good strategic purpose.

Academic text (1999)
Many historical figures were diabolized by their opponents to justify their actions.

Synonyms

to demonize

vsto diabolize

Literature

77 7.1

Make a person, group, or thing seem evil and dangerous, often unfairly

casts someone as devilish in character rather than general wickedness

to villainize

vsto diabolize

2 6.9

Show someone as evil or the cause of problems

portrays someone as demonlike or evil rather than simply blameworthy

to devilize

vsto diabolize

9.9

To show someone as very evil in stories or reports

has identical meaning but differs only as an alternative form

Antonyms

to purify

30 4.6

To remove dirt and bad chemicals from water or air to make them clean

to sanctify

24 7.4

To make a person or place holy with a religious ceremony

How Evil

to diabolize

9.9

to demonize

Literature

77 7.1

to vilify

43 7.9

to condemn

298 4.0

to criticize

701 3.3

Surface Forms

diabolize infinitive

diabolized past

diabolized past participle

diabolizing present participle

diabolizes third person singular

Morphology

diabolize = diabolic (transparent) = diabol + ize

Formed by adding the productive verb-forming suffix '-ize' to the adjective 'diabolic', yielding a verb meaning 'make or portray as devilish', which is predictable for learners.

Etymology

The word diabolize comes from the Greek diabolos, which first meant 'slanderer' and later became the word for 'devil', and it is the same root behind diabolic. So, to diabolize someone is to make them seem like a 'devil' or very evil.