dichotomize

verb

di·​chot·​o·​mize dī-ˈkä-tə-ˌmīz How to pronounce dichotomize (audio)
 also  də-
dichotomized; dichotomizing

transitive verb

: to divide into two parts, classes, or groups
dichotomization noun

Examples of dichotomize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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

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

Word History

Etymology

dichotomy + -ize

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of dichotomize was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near dichotomize

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on dichotomize

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!