Word that means "to make look like a bad thing/force"
There is a word (I think in ends in -ize) that means “to make seem like an an evil thing or force.” For instance:
The author __ the axe to foreshadow its usage in the coming tragedy.
What is the word?
NOTE: I don't think it's "antagonize" since that usually means "to make hostile".
There's always demonize
- (American) To turn into a demon.
- (American) To describe or represent as evil or diabolic.
Another good choice might be vilify. While it doesn't exactly mention it in the definition, I commonly hear it used to describe exactly what you're looking for.
- to lower in estimation or importance
- to utter slanderous and abusive statements against : defame
Edit:
I thought a little more about what you said about vilify, and how it doesn't really fit. It seems that the definition of villainize is closer to what you want.
- To represent as a villain.
A phrase that comes to mind is cast an evil aura, but that is far from a single verb.
The term malign as an adjective has some of the qualities you are seeking to ascribe to the object
evil in nature, influence, or effect : injurious - the malign effects of illicit drugs
But the verb form has to do with speech, often untrue or unjustified
to utter injuriously misleading or false reports about : speak evil of
The word presaged comes to mind, though it is not a perfect fit for your sentence. It means foreshadowed as with an omen or warning or negative symbolism. If I were to recast your sentence, I'd probably say,
"By mentioning the axe, the author presaged its role in the coming tragedy."