villainise
Cast as antagonist
Villainise is the British spelling of villainize—to portray someone or something as a villain or to cast in an unfavorable light.
Media coverage can villainise public figures, and political rhetoric often villainises opponents: The documentary villainised the entire industry.
The word implies that the negative portrayal may be exaggerated or unfair.
Portray as utterly evil
- demonisePortray as wicked
- monsterFrightening imaginary creature
- dehumanizeStrip of dignity
- dehumaniseStrip of dignity
otherize · diabolize · devil · fiend · evildoer · antagonist · baddy · nemesis
Attack someone's reputation
- defameHarm reputation falsely
- smearSpread or defame
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- malignAttack someone's reputation
slander · libel · calumniate · blacken · besmirch · tarnish · discredit · traduce
Mark with dishonor
- brandCompany's product line name
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
- stereotypeFixed oversimplified notion
- typecastRepeatedly assigned similar roles
pigeonhole · mark · taint · stain · blemish · sully · tar · shame
Unfairly blamed person
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- frameSupporting outer structure
- targetObject of pursuit
- fall-guyOne blamed for others
patsy · incriminate · implicate · accuse · guilt · buck-passing · sacrifice
Depict inaccurately or falsely
- distortTwist from original form
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- skewTwist from straight
- slantOblique angle or bias
spin · caricature · exaggerate · sensationalize · propaganda · bias · one-sided · unfair
demonize
Portray as utterly evil
- demonisePortray as wicked
- monsterFrightening imaginary creature
- dehumanizeStrip of dignity
dehumanise · otherize · diabolize · devil · fiend · evildoer · antagonist · baddy · nemesis · arch-enemy
vilify
Attack someone's reputation
malign · slander · libel · calumniate · blacken · besmirch · tarnish · discredit · traduce · asperse
stigmatize
Mark with dishonor
- brandCompany's product line name
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
- stereotypeFixed oversimplified notion
typecast · pigeonhole · mark · taint · stain · blemish · sully · tar · shame · disgrace
scapegoat
Unfairly blamed person
fall-guy · patsy · incriminate · implicate · accuse · guilt · buck-passing · sacrifice
misrepresent
Depict inaccurately or falsely
slant · spin · caricature · exaggerate · sensationalize · propaganda · bias · one-sided · unfair · mislead