Definition

1. Verb:
   • To turn into a devil or make devilish: To cause someone or something to become like a devil in nature or character; to corrupt or pervert to an evil state.
   • To portray as devilish: To represent or describe someone or something as being evil or diabolical.

Usage

• The verb "diabolise" is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (e.g., to diabolise or ).
• It is used in formal or literary contexts to describe the process of making something evil or attributing extreme evil to it.
• The spelling diabolize is equally common.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The propaganda sought to diabolise the opposing political leader, painting him as a monster.
  • War can diabolise even the most peaceful individuals, filling them with hatred.
  • The artist's work diabolised the figure of greed, depicting it as a horned demon.

Advanced Usage

• "to diabolise an idea": to characterize an idea as fundamentally evil or destructive.
  • Extremist groups often diabolise secularism to rally their followers.
• Passive Voice: Often used in the passive voice to describe the state of having been made devilish.
  • The innocent ritual was diabolised by fearful outsiders who misunderstood it.

Variants and Related Words

• Diabolize (verb): An alternative spelling of "diabolise".
• Diabolisation / Diabolization (noun): The act or process of diabolising.
  • The diabolisation of the enemy was a key tactic in the war effort.
• Diabolic (adjective): Having the qualities of a devil; devilish, fiendish.
  • He was accused of diabolic acts.
• Diabolical (adjective): Another form meaning exceedingly evil or cruel.
  • It was a diabolical plan.

Synonyms

• Demonize: To represent as a demon or evil spirit; this is the most common synonym in modern usage.
• Villify: To speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner.
• Corrupt: To cause to become morally depraved.

Antonyms

• Sanctify: To set apart as or declare holy.
• Idealize: To regard or represent as perfect or better than in reality.
• Humanize: To make humane, kind, or gentle.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Moral Panic: A situation where "diabolisation" often occurs, as a person or group is portrayed as a folk devil threatening societal values.
• Othering: The process of perceiving or portraying someone as fundamentally different from and alien to oneself, which can include diabolisation.

Verb

1. turn into a devil or make devilish
   • Man devilized by war