intellectualization

noun

The act or process of intellectualizing.

Similar
intellectualisation
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Meanings

nounintellectualization (countable and uncountable, plural intellectualizations)

plural intellectualizations · alternative intellectualisation

  1. countableuncountableThe act or process of intellectualizing.

    To me, part of the power of dealing with images is that they can bypass the intellectualization process, they can go right to making you feel something.

    1981 August 8, Maida Tilchen, Joan E. Biren, “Picturing Lesbians”, in Gay Community News, page 12

Synonyms & antonyms

noun(psychiatry) a defense mechanism that uses reasoning to block out emotional stress and conflict

Similar
intellectualisation
Broader
defense mechanismdefense reactiondefence mechanism
Also see
intellectualisation

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From intellectual + -ization or intellectualize + -ation.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Danish intellektualisering
  • intellektualiseringact or process of intellectualizing
Dutch intellectualisatie
  • intellectualisatieact or process of intellectualizing
French intellectualisation
  • intellectualisationact or process of intellectualizing
German Intellektualisierung
  • Intellektualisierungact or process of intellectualizing
Italian intellettualizzazione
  • intellettualizzazioneact or process of intellectualizing
Polish intelektualizacja
  • intelektualizacjaact or process of intellectualizing
Portuguese intelectualização
  • intelectualizaçãoact or process of intellectualizing
Russian интеллектуализа́ция
  • интеллектуализа́ция (intellektualizácija)act or process of intellectualizing
Spanish intelectualización
  • intelectualizaciónact or process of intellectualizing
Swedish intellektualisering
  • intellektualiseringact or process of intellectualizing
Ukrainian інтелектуаліза́ція
  • інтелектуаліза́ція (intelektualizácija)act or process of intellectualizing
Cite this entry
APA

intellectualization. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/intellectualization

MLA

“intellectualization.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/intellectualization. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “intellectualization,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/intellectualization.

Source: intellectualization on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.