What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
villainize
Example
The media tends to villainize politicians during election season. [villainize: verb]
Example
She felt like her ex-boyfriend was trying to villainize her to their mutual friends. [villainize: verb]
demonize
Example
The political ad tried to demonize the opposing candidate by associating them with extremist groups. [demonize: verb]
Example
The media often demonizes certain groups of people based on stereotypes and prejudices. [demonizes: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Demonize is more commonly used than villainize in everyday language, especially in the context of media and politics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between villainize and demonize?
Both villainize and demonize are informal words, but demonize is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
