Meaning & use
Villainizing
Last updated
Portraying someone as wicked or blameworthy, often unfairly.
See it in a sentence
The documentary was criticized for villainizing the whistleblower instead of the corporation.
Social media tends to be quick at villainizing public figures before all the facts are known.
A note on using this word
"Villainizing" is a fairly recent verb formed from "villain," and is increasingly common in media and pop-culture criticism.
Words with a similar meaning
demonizingvilifying
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Villainizing”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.