dichotomize

verb

di·​chot·​o·​mize dī-ˈkä-tə-ˌmīz 

also də-

dichotomized; dichotomizing

transitive verb

: to divide into two contradictory or contrasting parts, classes, or groups

intransitive verb

: to exhibit dichotomy

dichotomization

dī-ˌkä-tə-mə-ˈzā-shən 

also də-

noun

Examples of dichotomize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some stories can harden moral perception, of course, pushing us to dichotomize the purely good and the purely evil, as in the moral pornography of superhero comics and revenge flicks. — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

dichotomy + -ize

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for dichotomize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize