demonization
Painting as wicked
Demonization is the act of portraying someone or something as evil, dangerous, or worthy of hatred.
The term draws on the image of demons—malevolent supernatural beings—to suggest that a target is being unfairly cast as monstrous: the demonization of immigrants in campaign rhetoric, Media demonization made rational discussion impossible.
The word typically implies the portrayal is exaggerated or unjust.
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
- spinRapid rotation around axis
distortion · manipulation · demagoguery · incitement · caricature · dehumanization · othering · hate speech
Abusive condemnation of someone
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- smearSpread or defame
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
denigration · disparagement · calumny · aspersion · traducement · character assassination · mudslinging · blackening
Assign responsibility for wrongdoing
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- victimizationBeing made to suffer
- targetingSelecting as objective
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
fall guy · whipping boy · patsy · black sheep · witch hunt · blood libel · show trial · mob justice
Banishment from a group
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- disgraceLoss of honor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
exclusion · pariah · outcast · marginalization · alienation · rejection · labeling · social exclusion
disinformation
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
spin · distortion · manipulation · demagoguery · incitement · caricature · dehumanization · othering · hate speech · dog whistle
vilification
Abusive condemnation of someone
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- smearSpread or defame
- slanderSpoken false defamation
libel · denigration · disparagement · calumny · aspersion · traducement · character assassination · mudslinging · blackening · tarnishing
blame
Assign responsibility for wrongdoing
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- victimizationBeing made to suffer
- targetingSelecting as objective
persecution · fall guy · whipping boy · patsy · black sheep · witch hunt · blood libel · show trial · mob justice · public enemy
ostracism
Banishment from a group
taboo · exclusion · pariah · outcast · marginalization · alienation · rejection · labeling · social exclusion · blacklisting
diabolizing
Depicting as fiendish
fiendish · satanic · sinister · nefarious · wicked · malevolent · hellish · infernal · antichrist · prince of darkness
- propagandapropaganda, brainwashing, disinformation, misinformation, indoctrination
- smear tacticssmear, smear campaign, mudslinging, attack ads, hit piece
- war propagandawar posters, propaganda films, Soviet propaganda, patriotic imagery, I Want You
- polarizationpolarizer, divide, polarized light, divisiveness, polarizing filter
- antisemitismHolocaust, pogroms, blood libel, Kristallnacht, Nuremberg Laws
- divisiondivision, divide, divided, dividing, split
demonizationglorification
Elevating praise or worship
sanctification · lionization · canonization · idealization · deification
demonizationhumanization
Attributing personal characteristics
understanding · recognition · normalization · empathy · dignification