Demonify: meaning, definitions and examples

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demonify

[dɪˈmɒnɪfaɪ ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

to remove demonic qualities

To demonify means to remove demonic qualities or characteristics from someone or something. It is often used metaphorically to describe the process of purifying or cleansing something that is perceived as evil or malevolent.

Synonyms

cleanse, exorcise, purify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
demonify	Used when describing the act of portraying someone or something as evil or demonic. Typically has a negative connotation. The media tends to demonify people with different political views He felt demonified by the accusations
purify	Used to describe the process of making something clean, pure, or free from contaminants. Can be used in both a literal and metaphorical sense. They use a special filter to purify the water Meditation helps her purify her mind from stress
cleanse	Used in contexts involving removing dirt, impurities, or undesirable elements. Can be used both literally and figuratively. She cleansed her skin with a gentle cleanser The ceremony was meant to cleanse the community of bad energy
exorcise	Used in a religious or spiritual context to describe the act of driving out evil spirits from a person or place. The priest attempted to exorcise the haunted house She felt the need to exorcise the bad memories from her mind

Examples of usage

Through prayer and meditation, she was able to demonify the haunted house.
The exorcism ritual was performed to demonify the possessed individual.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term combines ‘demon’, from the Greek ‘daimon’ meaning spirit, and ‘-ify’, which means to make or become.
It entered modern English usage as a way to describe the process of portraying something negatively.

Cultural Context

In folklore, figures that are demonized often represent fears or societal issues, showcasing the power of narrative.
Various cultures utilize the concept of demonization in moral tales to teach lessons about good vs evil.

Psychology

Demonification can impact perception; when a person is demonized, it can lead to real-world prejudice and social division.
The process often involves projecting negative attributes onto a person or group, a psychological defense mechanism.

Literature

In literature, authors may demonify characters to establish a clear antagonist, enhancing conflict and drive the plot.
Classic works, such as Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein', portray figures as misunderstood rather than purely evil, complicating the idea of demonification.

Media and Popular Culture

In media, individuals or groups can be demonified through biased reporting or sensationalism, heavily impacting public opinion.
Video games and movies often depict characters who are demonified by society, allowing audiences to explore themes of morality and redemption.

Translations

Translations of the word "demonify" in other languages:

🇵🇹 demonizar

🇮🇳 दानव बनाना

🇩🇪 dämonisieren

🇮🇩 mendemonisasi

🇺🇦 демонізувати

🇵🇱 demonizować

🇯🇵 悪魔化する (akuma-ka suru)

🇫🇷 démoniser

🇪🇸 demonizar

🇹🇷 şeytanlaştırmak

🇰🇷 악마화하다 (akmahwahada)

🇸🇦 شيطنة (shaytana)

🇨🇿 démonizovat

🇸🇰 démonizovať

🇨🇳 妖魔化 (yāomóhuà)

🇸🇮 demonizirati

🇮🇸 djöflavæða

🇰🇿 шайтандандыру

🇬🇪 დემონიზება (demonizeba)

🇦🇿 şeytanlaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 demonizar