villainize
Paint as evil
To villainize is to portray someone or something as a villain—evil, malicious, or responsible for harm.
The word often implies unfair characterization: The media villainized him before any trial.
Politicians villainize opponents; activists villainize industries.
Also spelled villainise in British English.
Portray as utterly evil
- vilifyAttack someone's reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- defameHarm reputation falsely
- smearSpread or defame
malign · disparage · denigrate · stigmatize · scapegoat · discredit · tarnish · besmirch
Fugitive from justice
- criminalizeMake punishable by law
- demonizePortray as utterly evil
- stigmatizeMark with dishonor
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
condemn · prosecute · ostracize · marginalize · target · blame · accuse · incriminate
demonize
Portray as utterly evil
smear · malign · disparage · denigrate · stigmatize · scapegoat · discredit · tarnish · besmirch · blacken
outlaw
Fugitive from justice
- criminalizeMake punishable by law
- demonizePortray as utterly evil
- stigmatizeMark with dishonor
scapegoat · condemn · prosecute · ostracize · marginalize · target · blame · accuse · incriminate · frame
antagonist
One who opposes another
- evildoerOne who causes harm
- wrongdoerPerson who misbehaves
- malefactorOne who does harm
scoundrel · nemesis · archnemesis · bad guy · heel · heavy · black hat · antihero · foil · adversary