demythologize
Remove mythical elements
Demythologize means to strip away the mythical or legendary elements from something, revealing the ordinary reality beneath.
The term originated in theology, describing efforts to interpret religious texts without supernatural elements, but now applies broadly: Biographers often demythologize their subjects.
To demythologize is to remove the aura, the mystique, the larger-than-life quality—sometimes usefully, sometimes reductively.
Free from false beliefs
- disillusionDestroy naive beliefs
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- disproveProve something untrue
- invalidateMake null or void
refute · contradict · undermine · delegitimize · disbelieve · negate · rebut · disconfirm
Expose as false
- deconstructAnalyze by breaking down
- challengeTest of ability
- reinterpretUnderstand in another way
- reassessEvaluate a second time
question · expose · unmask · deflate · puncture · dismantle · subvert · reevaluate
Religion losing social significance
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- naturalismWorldview excluding the supernatural
- positivismPhilosophy demanding verifiable evidence
- scienceSystematic study through observation
objectivity · evidence · humanism · literalism · factuality · verification · scientific · analysis
Lack of firm belief
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- incredulityInability to accept something
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
distrust · cynicism · agnosticism · critical · falsifiability · disbelief · challenge · realism
Statement making something clear
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- illuminationProvision of light
- elucidationAct of explaining clearly
interpretation · comprehension · exegesis · explication · unpacking · decoding · disentanglement · demystification
disenchant
Free from false beliefs
- disillusionDestroy naive beliefs
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- disproveProve something untrue
invalidate · refute · contradict · undermine · delegitimize · disbelieve · negate · rebut · disconfirm · deflate
debunk
Expose as false
- deconstructAnalyze by breaking down
- challengeTest of ability
- reinterpretUnderstand in another way
reassess · question · expose · unmask · deflate · puncture · dismantle · subvert · reevaluate · analyze
secularization
Religion losing social significance
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- naturalismWorldview excluding the supernatural
- positivismPhilosophy demanding verifiable evidence
science · objectivity · evidence · humanism · literalism · factuality · verification · scientific · analysis · logic
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- incredulityInability to accept something
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
scrutiny · distrust · cynicism · agnosticism · critical · falsifiability · disbelief · challenge · realism · skeptic
explanation
Statement making something clear
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- illuminationProvision of light
elucidation · interpretation · comprehension · exegesis · explication · unpacking · decoding · disentanglement · demystification · revelation
demythologizemythologize
Make legendary or fabled
mythologise · romanticize · fictionalize · embellish · mystify