diabolize
/dai'æbəlaiz/ Cách viết khác : (diabolise) /dai'æbəlaiz/
Definition
- Verb:
- To turn into a devil or make devilish: To cause someone or something to become like a devil in character or nature; to demonize.
- To portray as devilish or evil: To describe or represent someone or something as being diabolical or monstrous.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- The propaganda sought to diabolize the enemy, painting them as pure evil.
- Some argue that violent video games can diabolize young minds.
- He felt the constant cruelty of the prison system had diabolized the guards.
Advanced Usage
- "To be diabolized": To be portrayed or transformed into a devilish figure.
- In many historical conflicts, the opposing side is routinely diabolized.
- Conceptual use: Often used in sociological or political discourse to describe the process of making an adversary seem utterly evil to justify actions against them.
- The regime's rhetoric worked to systematically diabolize any form of dissent.
Variants and Related Words
- Diabolise (verb): British English spelling variant of 'diabolize'.
- Diabolization (noun): The act or process of diabolizing.
- The diabolization of minority groups is a dangerous political tactic.
- Devilize (verb): A less common synonym with the same core meaning.
Synonyms
- Demonize: To represent as evil or diabolical.
- Villainize: To portray as a villain.
- Monstrously portray: To describe in a monstrous way.
Antonyms
- Deify: To treat or represent as a god.
- Idealize: To regard or represent as perfect or better than in reality.
- Glorify: To describe or represent as admirable, often unjustifiably so.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Moral Panic: A situation where a group is diabolized, leading to widespread fear and often unfair persecution.
- Othering: The process of perceiving or portraying a person or group as fundamentally different and alien, which can include diabolization.
Verb
-
turn into a devil or make devilish
-
Man devilized by war
-
