Villainize: meaning, definitions and examples

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villainize

 

[ ˈvɪl.ə.naɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in a negative light

To portray or represent as a villain; to make someone or something seem evil or wicked.

Synonyms

demonize, demonstrate, vilify

Examples of usage

  • He was villainized in the media as the mastermind behind the scandal.
  • The movie villainized the character, painting him as a heartless criminal.

Translations

Translations of the word "villainize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vilanizar

🇮🇳 खलनायक बनाना

🇩🇪 verteufeln

🇮🇩 menjahatkan

🇺🇦 демонізувати

🇵🇱 demonizować

🇯🇵 悪者にする (akumono ni suru)

🇫🇷 diaboliser

🇪🇸 vilanizar

🇹🇷 şeytanlaştırmak

🇰🇷 악당으로 만들다

🇸🇦 تشويه سمعة

🇨🇿 démonizovat

🇸🇰 démonizovať

🇨🇳 妖魔化 (yāo mó huà)

🇸🇮 demonizirati

🇮🇸 djöfulgera

🇰🇿 зұлымдыққа айналдыру

🇬🇪 ბოროტმოქმედად წარმოჩენა

🇦🇿 şeytanlaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 vilanizar

Etymology

The word 'villainize' is derived from the noun 'villain', which originated in the late 14th century from the Old French word 'vilain', meaning a peasant or commoner. Over time, the word evolved to refer to a character in a story who is evil or wicked. The verb 'villainize' was later formed to describe the act of making someone or something appear as a villain.

See also: villainous.