Politicize: meaning, definitions and examples

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politicize

 

[ ˈpɒlɪtɪsaɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

social discussion

To politicize something means to make it a subject of political debate or to interpret it through a political lens. This often involves framing an issue in such a way that it aligns with specific political ideologies or agendas. Politicization can occur in various contexts, such as social matters, scientific discussions, or cultural phenomena. It can lead to polarized opinions and may detract from the original issue at hand.

Synonyms

contend, debate, politicise.

Examples of usage

  • The media tends to politicize climate change discussions.
  • In recent years, many social issues have been politicized for electoral gain.
  • Critics argue that they are trying to politicize the tragedy for their benefit.

Translations

Translations of the word "politicize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 politizar

🇮🇳 राजनीतिक बनाना

🇩🇪 politizieren

🇮🇩 politisisasi

🇺🇦 політизувати

🇵🇱 polityzować

🇯🇵 政治化する

🇫🇷 politiser

🇪🇸 politizar

🇹🇷 siyasileştirmek

🇰🇷 정치화하다

🇸🇦 سياسي

🇨🇿 politizovat

🇸🇰 politizovať

🇨🇳 政治化

🇸🇮 politizirati

🇮🇸 pólitíska

🇰🇿 саяси ету

🇬🇪 პოლიტიკურად

🇦🇿 siyasi hala gətirmək

🇲🇽 politizar

Etymology

The term 'politicize' originated in the early 20th century, deriving from the word 'politic', which has its roots in the Greek word 'politikos', meaning 'of, for, or relating to citizens'. Throughout its usage, the term has evolved to encapsulate the act of infusing a political dimension into discussions or issues that may not inherently be political. The expanded use of 'politicize' emerged alongside the growing awareness and sensitivity towards social issues, often associated with movements advocating for political representation of marginalized groups. The usage of politicization has become increasingly prevalent in contemporary discourse as social media platforms amplify diverse voices, and discussions surrounding social justice gain momentum.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,612, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.