contextualize

verb

con·​tex·​tu·​al·​ize kən-ˈteks-chə-wə-ˌlīz 

-chə-ˌlīz, 

-chü-ə-

contextualized; contextualizing

transitive verb

: to place (something, such as a word or activity) in a context

When the rebellion is historically contextualized, it becomes clear that there were many factors that contributed to it.

contextualization

kən-ˌteks-ch(ə-w)ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-chü-ə-lə-

noun

Examples of contextualize in a Sentence

When the rebellion is historically contextualized, it becomes clear that there were many factors contributing to it.

Recent Examples on the Web

The exhibit mostly circumvents contextualizing the architectural details of the office, and rather aims to explicate the man who worked within it. — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026

With so many new texts, the focus of the research is shifting away from the engineers and computer scientists at the forefront of these technologies to classicists, historians and papyrologists who can interpret and contextualize them. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

This is an edition of Time-Travel Thursdays, a journey through The Atlantic’s archives to contextualize the present. — Isabel Ruehl, The Atlantic, 25 June 2026

LaGore further contextualizes current hesitation toward intermodal adoption within organizational memory and operational inertia. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

contextual + -ize

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contextualize

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