demonises
Paints as evil
Demonises is the British spelling of demonizes—to portray someone or something as evil, wicked, or threatening.
The word draws on the image of demons to suggest unfair vilification: The media demonises immigrants, Politicians demonise their opponents.
To demonise is to make a devil of someone, usually for rhetorical or political purposes.
Attack someone's reputation
- stigmatizeMark with dishonor
- smearSpread or defame
- defameHarm reputation falsely
- slanderSpoken false defamation
denigrate · dehumanize · besmirch · blacken · tarnish · libel · revile · malign
Unfairly blamed person
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- targetObject of pursuit
- persecuteHarass cruelly, persistently
- victimizeHarm someone deliberately
single out · witch hunt · outcast · pariah · marginalize · ostracize · alienate · exclude
vilify
Attack someone's reputation
- stigmatizeMark with dishonor
- smearSpread or defame
- defameHarm reputation falsely
slander · denigrate · dehumanize · besmirch · blacken · tarnish · libel · revile · malign · character assassination
scapegoat
Unfairly blamed person
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- targetObject of pursuit
- persecuteHarass cruelly, persistently
victimize · single out · witch hunt · outcast · pariah · marginalize · ostracize · alienate · exclude · prejudice
condemn
Declare wrong or guilty
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- castigateReprimand severely
decry · lambaste · excoriate · pillory · attack · blast · slam · criticize · rebuke · reprimand
diabolical
Extremely wicked or cruel
infernal · fiendish · monstrous · evil · unholy · devil · monster · beast · supernatural · possession
demonisesglorifies
Celebrates with great praise
sanctifies · lionises · venerates · exalts · deifies
demonisesdefends
Acts to protect
champions · humanises · stands up for · vindicates · rehabilitates