intellectualize

verb

in·​tel·​lec·​tu·​al·​ize ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-ˌlīz 

-chə-ˌlīz,

-shwə-ˌlīz,

-chü(-ə)-ˌlīz

intellectualized; intellectualizing

transitive verb

: to give rational form or content to

intellectualization

ˌin-tə-ˌlek-chə-wə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-chə-lə-

-shwə-lə-

-chü(-ə)-lə-

noun

intellectualizer

ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-ˌlī-zər 

-chə-ˌlī-

-shwə-ˌlī-

-chü(-ə)-ˌlī-

noun

Examples of intellectualize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Important Dates December 7: Venus moves into the air sign Aquarius, urging us to intellectualize romance. —Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Spirituality is internalized, not intellectualized. —Prinita Thevarajah, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024

Sit with your feelings before intellectualizing them. —Anna Borges, SELF, 9 Sep. 2024

It wasn’t thought out or intellectualized, just sheer emotion. —Holly Alvarado, Orange County Register, 27 June 2024

Jarmusch is entirely supportive but seems to be still intellectualizing it. —Carl Swanson, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2024

Einstürzende Neubauten have always been expert conceptualists — true artists who create works meant to be interpreted and felt more than to be intellectualized. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024

There are some things that cannot be intellectualized, and indeed the attempt to do so cheapens them. —Nicholas Gallagher, Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2024

Levi doesn’t intellectualize it like that, doesn’t have a straightforward intention. —Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1792, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

intellectualize

transitive verb

in·​tel·​lec·​tu·​al·​ize

variants or chiefly British intellectualise

ˌint-ᵊl-ˈek-chə(-wə)-ˌlīz, -ˈeksh-wə- 

intellectualized or chiefly British intellectualised; intellectualizing or chiefly British intellectualising

1

: to give rational form or content to

2

: to avoid conscious recognition of the emotional basis of (an act or feeling) by substituting a superficially plausible explanation

conflicts that are intellectualized

—L. E. Hinsie

intellectualization noun

or chiefly British intellectualisation

-ˌek-chə(-wə)-lə-ˈzā-shən