externalize

verb

ex·​ter·​nal·​ize ek-ˈstər-nə-ˌlīz 

externalized; externalizing

transitive verb

1

: to make external or externally manifest

2

: to attribute to causes outside the self : rationalize

externalized his lack of ability to succeed

Synonyms

• embody
• express
• incorporate
• manifest
• body
• symbolize
• personalize

Examples of externalize in a Sentence

an actress with an expressive face that wonderfully externalizes a wide range of emotions

Recent Examples on the Web

In this way, B1G1’s approach challenges the dominant economic paradigm in which profits are privatized while costs to society and the environment are externalized. —Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Mario Jorge Machado, president of the European apparel and textile lobbying group Euratex said the Chinese giant’s low-price model is only made possible by flouting EU environmental and tax rules to externalize costs. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025

Parents completed questionnaires about their child’s mental health symptoms, both internalizing such as depression and anxiety and externalizing such as ADHD or behavioral issues. —New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025

The study also found that negative coparenting leads to a range of internalizing and externalizing problems for kids later in life. —Essence, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for externalize

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

Medical Definition

externalize

transitive verb

ex·​ter·​nal·​ize

variants or British externalise

ek-ˈstərn-ᵊl-ˌīz 

externalized or British externalised; externalizing or British externalising

1

a

: to transform from a mental image into an apparently real object (as in hallucinations) : attribute (a mental image) to external causation

externalizing an obsession

b

: to invent an explanation for (an inner problem whose actual basis is known only subconsciously) by attributing to causes outside the self : rationalize, project

externalized his failure

2

: to direct outward socially

externalized her anger

externalization noun

or British externalisation

-ˌstərn-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən