di·chot·o·mize
dī-ˈkä-tə-ˌmīz 
also də-
dichotomized; dichotomizing
: to divide into two contradictory or contrasting parts, classes, or groups
: to exhibit dichotomy
di·chot·o·mi·za·tion
(ˌ)dīˌkätəmə̇ˈzāshən
-ätə-,
-ˌmīˈz- sometimes də̇ˌ-
plural -s
: the act or action of dichotomizing : the condition of being dichotomized
Examples of dichotomize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2023
Worse examples: resystematize, transparentize, essentialize, rightsize, dichotomize.
—
Gary Gilson,
Star Tribune,
10 Oct. 2020
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Verb
Lyle: What was really important for us with Lottie is that there’s a tendency to want to dichotomize characters in television and film into protagonists and antagonists, or heroes and villains.
—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2023
Worse examples: resystematize, transparentize, essentialize, rightsize, dichotomize.
—
Gary Gilson,
Star Tribune,
10 Oct. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Dichotomize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dichotomize. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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