intellectualize

I1N1T1E1L1L1E1C3T1U1A1L1I1Z10E1
/ɪntəˈlɛkt͡ʃuəlaɪz/

verb

To treat in an intellectual manner; to discuss or express intellectually.

Scrabble 26
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

verbintellectualize (third-person singular simple present intellectualizes, present participle intellectualizing, simple past and past participle intellectualized)

present singular third person intellectualizes · participle present intellectualizing · participle past intellectualized · past intellectualized · alternative intellectualise

  1. transitiveTo treat in an intellectual manner; to discuss or express intellectually.

    Sentiment is intellectualized emotion.

    1867, James Russell Lowell, Rousseau and the Sentimentalists
  2. transitiveTo endow with intellect; to bestow intellectual qualities upon; to cause to become intellectual.
  3. UStransitiveTo find a seemingly rational explanation for.
    1. UStransitivehuman sciencesTo use (excessive) reasoning and rationalization to block out emotional stress and anxiety associated with painful or traumatic experiences.

Origin

From intellectual + -ize.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Swedish intellektualisera
  • intellektualiseratreat in an intellectual manner
Cite this entry
APA

intellectualize. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/intellectualize

MLA

“intellectualize.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/intellectualize. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “intellectualize,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/intellectualize.

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