villainize

Verb

villainize (third-person singular simple present villainizes, present participle villainizing, simple past and past participle villainized)

1. (transitive) To represent as a villain.
   • Managers and leaders villainize those who interfere with their needs and desires — those who do not support the organization. Workers and outsiders villainize managers and leaders for not sharing benefits and rewards created by business.1997, Richard H. Reeves, Business, commerce, and social responsibility: beyond agenda

   Synonyms:

   demonize, monsterize, vilify, assassinate, asperse, backbite, badmouth, befoul, belibel, besmirch