intellectualize
verb
in·tel·lec·tu·al·ize
ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-ˌlīz 
-chə-ˌlīz,
-shwə-ˌlīz,
-chü(-ə)-ˌlīz
intellectualized; intellectualizing
: to give rational form or content to
Examples of intellectualize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
The source coding practice is best for people who overthink and intellectualize problems instead of finding a solution.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 18 July 2023
That somatic return is a common theme in trauma psychology, which suggests that lasting stressors will lead people to intellectualize and lose touch with physicality.
—Courtney Tenz, Washington Post, 29 June 2023
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
The source coding practice is best for people who overthink and intellectualize problems instead of finding a solution.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 18 July 2023
That somatic return is a common theme in trauma psychology, which suggests that lasting stressors will lead people to intellectualize and lose touch with physicality.
—Courtney Tenz, Washington Post, 29 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intellectualize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near intellectualize
Cite this Entry
“Intellectualize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectualize. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
intellectualize
transitive verb
in·tel·lec·tu·al·ize
variants
or chiefly British intellectualise
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
L. E. HinsieLove words? Need even more definitions?
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