compartmentalize

verb

com·​part·​men·​tal·​ize kəm-ˌpärt-ˈmen-tə-ˌlīz 

ˌkäm-

compartmentalized; compartmentalizing

transitive verb

: to separate into isolated compartments or categories

compartmentalization

kəm-ˌpärt-ˌmen-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌkäm-

noun

Synonyms of compartmentalize

• classify
• rank
• relegate
• distinguish
• categorize

Examples of compartmentalize in a Sentence

He compartmentalizes his life by keeping his job and his personal life separate.

The company has compartmentalized its services.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jim learned how to compartmentalize his feelings to survive amid the uncertainty of what was ailing his daughter. —Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026

This wasn’t surprising, given that intelligence agencies compartmentalize information about sensitive operations. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

The duality applies to the whole team, which has seemingly mastered compartmentalizing its fun side and its serious side, tapping into one personality or the other on command. —Haley Sawyer, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026

In situations of more extreme mental health issues, teens may not have the tools to navigate difficult feelings and instead, repress and compartmentalize their feelings as a way to cope. —Staff Author, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for compartmentalize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• materialize
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize