Demonisation

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The process of representing a person, group, or concept as morally corrupt and dangerous involves vilification and often results in widespread fear and prejudice
2. This practice entails framing an entity as wicked or demonic, leading to social stigmatization and shifting public perception towards hostility
3. The act of casting a person, group, or idea as threatening and malevolent, causing negative attitudes or fear

Etymology: "Demonisation" is a plain formation: the noun "demon" with the suffix "-isation" (the British spelling of "-ization"), which turns a verb into the act or process of doing something. "Demonise" is the verb, meaning to make someone or something into a demon, or to portray them as one. The result is a noun for the process of that portrayal rather than for any single demon. The core word traces back to Greek "daimon", which originally referred to a spirit or divine power that could be neutral or benevolent, not necessarily evil. Over time, through Latin and then Church usage, "demon" came to be applied almost exclusively to malevolent spirits. The suffix carries the sense of making or treating something as the base word describes, so "demonisation" is the act of treating a person, group, or idea as though it were a demon.

Synonyms: demonization, vilification, defamation, denunciation, calumny

Antonyms: glorification, praise, exaltation, celebration, vindication