feminize

verb

fem·​i·​nize ˈfe-mə-ˌnīz How to pronounce feminize (audio)
feminized; feminizing

transitive verb

1
: to give a feminine quality to
2
: to cause (a male or castrate) to take on feminine characters (as by implantation of ovaries or administration of estrogens)
feminization noun

Examples of feminize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Meredith’s flaws are intriguingly feminized: vanity; superficiality; a changeable, untrustworthy softness. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024 Some universities that were founded in the late nineteenth century, including Stanford, accepted both men and women, but soon found that women were performing too well, provoking anxiety that women would overrun or feminize the institutions. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023 But Parton feminizes the tale, and uses it to frame an album that realigns rock with women. Emily Lordi, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2023 Laura Harrier also recently feminized an oversized button-down with tactful buttoning around the waist. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2023 In a commentary piece published by Fortune, Microsoft CSO Melanie Nakagawa and Google CSO Kate Brandt discuss the ways in which some C-suite positions, specifically those in sustainability, human resources, and communications, can be feminized and therefore minimized. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 27 July 2023 Eating disorders are also feminized, such as a diagnosis that associates an eating disorder with the loss of a menstrual period. Samia Salahi, The Arizona Republic, 8 June 2023 If fathers are too affectionate with their sons, does that feminize them? David Oliver, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2023 As both these species have a common ancestor there must have been strong selection going on to feminize the bonobos. Mark Maslin, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'feminize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of feminize was in 1652

Dictionary Entries Near feminize

Cite this Entry

“Feminize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminize. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

feminize

transitive verb
fem·​i·​nize
variants or British feminise
feminized or British feminised; feminizing or British feminising
: to cause (a male or castrate) to take on feminine characters (as by implantation of ovaries or administration of estrogenic substances)
feminization noun
or British feminisation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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