anatomize

verb

anat·​o·​mize ə-ˈna-tə-ˌmīz 

anatomized; anatomizing

transitive verb

1

: to cut in pieces in order to display or examine the structure and use of the parts : dissect

2

: analyze

Synonyms of anatomize

• analyze
• dissect
• examine

Examples of anatomize in a Sentence

if you anatomize the problem, you'll see it stems from a combination of her bad behavior and your unwillingness to speak to her about it

Recent Examples on the Web

The film joins countless other creative efforts to understand and anatomize the movie star born Norma Jeane Mortensen, including biopics, TV series, biographies, photo books, essays, and even plays. — Nathan Smith, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2022

And some of it was a compulsive need to re-define and re-anatomize what Carmichael and Hamilton had already defined and anatomized so well. — Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2021

Kundera, meanwhile, made his career on novels that anatomized kitsch and subsequently became kitsch, thanks to a generation of earnest high schoolers. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 9 Oct. 2019

This is just one of many intergenerational failings that Kafka anatomizes. — Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 18 June 2018

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for anatomize

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

Kids Definition

anatomize

verb

anat·​o·​mize ə-ˈnat-ə-ˌmīz 

anatomized; anatomizing

: to cut up carefully so as to show or to examine the structure and use of the parts

Medical Definition

anatomize

transitive verb

anat·​o·​mize

variants or British anatomise

-ˌmīz 

anatomized or British anatomised; anatomizing or British anatomising

: to cut in pieces in order to display or examine the structure and use of the parts : dissect