politicize
gb/pəlˈɪtɪsˌaɪz/ us/pəlˈɪtɪsˌaɪz/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
C1
action
1
make politically controversial
to turn something into a political issue, especially in a way that causes argument
Usage pattern:
politicize [something]
Common mistake:
Often has a critical or negative tone; it does not simply mean “discuss politics.” In British English, politicise is also common.
Synonyms
make political (plain, direct wording with less implied criticism)
|
politicalize (less common synonym, often more formal or academic)
|
partisanize (emphasizes turning something into a party-political conflict)
Antonyms
depoliticize (remove political influence or controversy from something)
|
keep out of politics (informal phrase meaning to avoid making something political)
Collocations
politicize an issue
|politicize a debate
|politicize a crisis
|politicize science
|politicize education
|politicize the courts
|politicize the police
|politicize a tragedy
|heavily politicized
|become politicized
Themes
politics
|public_affairs
|media
|society
Examples
- Critics accused the minister of politicizing the disaster for electoral gain.
- The debate over school funding has become heavily politicized.
- The scientists urged both parties not to politicize the research findings.
Learner examples
- Please do not politicize this local problem.
- The court case was quickly politicized.
Verb
C1
process
2
make politically active
to make a person or group more interested and active in politics
Usage pattern:
politicize [someone]; [someone] becomes politicized
Common mistake:
Do not confuse politicize with radicalize; radicalize usually means making someone hold extreme views, while politicize can simply mean making someone politically aware.
Synonyms
mobilize (emphasizes getting people to take action, not just become aware)
|
raise consciousness (often used in activist contexts for increasing social or political awareness)
|
radicalize (stronger and more negative; suggests movement toward extreme views)
Antonyms
depoliticize (make someone or a group less politically engaged)
|
disengage (make or become less involved, especially in public or political activity)
Collocations
politicize young people
|politicize students
|politicize voters
|politicize workers
|politicize a generation
|become politicized
|politicized by war
|politicized by protest
Themes
politics
|society
|activism
|education
Examples
- The strike politicized many workers who had never joined a campaign before.
- She became politicized at university during the protests.
- The war politicized a generation of young people.
Learner examples
- The protest politicized many students.
- He became politicized after losing his job.
Grammar
Dictionary form
politicize
IPA
GB/pəlˈɪtɪsˌaɪz/
US/pəlˈɪtɪsˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
politi - cize (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cize)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: politicize
- 3rd Person Singular: politicizes
- Present Participle: politicizing
- Past: politicized
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.