demonisation
Portraying as evil
Demonisation is the act of portraying someone or something as wholly evil or threatening.
Politicians demonise opponents; media coverage can demonise entire groups.
The word implies unfair exaggeration—turning a person or idea into a demon rather than engaging with complexity: The demonisation of immigrants dominated the campaign.
Also spelled demonization.
Spread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
character assassination · disparagement · maligning · mudslinging · calumny · aspersion · traducing · name-calling
Frightening imaginary creature
- subhumanBelow humanity's standard
- inhumanDevoid of mercy
- beastLarge wild animal
- animalisticResembling brute nature
barbaric · savage · vermin · othering · dehumanize · brutish · uncivilized · alien
Banishment from a group
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
taboo · shame · disgrace · outcast · pariah · untouchable · leper · alienation
Deliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
- incitementProvoking unlawful behavior
smear campaign · spin · manipulation · sensationalism · demagoguery · hate speech · dog whistle · talking points
Assign responsibility for wrongdoing
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
- targetObject of pursuit
- victimizationBeing made to suffer
- fall guyOne blamed for others
whipping boy · patsy · black sheep · sacrificial lamb · finger-pointing · witch hunt · pogrom · persecution
smear
Spread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
denigration · character assassination · disparagement · maligning · mudslinging · calumny · aspersion · traducing · name-calling · epithet
monster
Frightening imaginary creature
animalistic · barbaric · savage · vermin · othering · dehumanize · brutish · uncivilized · alien · fiend
ostracism
Banishment from a group
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
exclusion · taboo · shame · disgrace · outcast · pariah · untouchable · leper · alienation · social death
fearmongering
Deliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
incitement · smear campaign · spin · manipulation · sensationalism · demagoguery · hate speech · dog whistle · talking points · narrative
blame
Assign responsibility for wrongdoing
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
- targetObject of pursuit
- victimizationBeing made to suffer
fall guy · whipping boy · patsy · black sheep · sacrificial lamb · finger-pointing · witch hunt · pogrom · persecution · outgroup
- vilificationvilification, vilifying, stigmatizing, stigmatization, character assassination
demonisationglorification
Elevating praise or worship
sanctification · deification · lionisation · idealisation · veneration
demon, demonic, demonize, demonized, demonizing, demonise, demonised, demonology, demonises