in·tel·lec·tu·al·ize
ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-ˌlīz 
-chə-ˌlīz,
-shwə-ˌlīz,
-chü(-ə)-ˌlīz
intellectualized; intellectualizing
: to give rational form or content to
in·tel·lec·tu·al·i·za·tion
variants
also British intellectualisation
ˌintᵊlˌekchə(wə)lə̇ˈzāshən,
-ksh- -ˌlīˈz-
plural -s
: the act, process, or an instance of intellectualizing
opposed to any intellectualization of art—
Herbert Read
Herbert ReadExamples of intellectualize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
Unlike other political systems, fascism was not meant to be intellectualized or discussed; it was meant to be experienced.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Rather than intellectualize the club, the song gives in to a thumping house beat and fame’s champagne-gold façade.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Put simply, their connection is intellectualized rather than embodied.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
The media entertains these questions, in an effort to intellectualize the ideologies underpinning the cult’s bloodlust.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
The problem is that Di Constanzo seems to be intellectualizing his themes rather than dramatizing them.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
The goal here is not to inform or educate, to listen or process, to build or intellectualize but to win, to own, to dunk on, to break the opponent’s brain, to spawn an argument of such devastating definitiveness that the matter can be considered, once and for all, closed.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
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Verb
There will be no room for intellectualizing your feelings, as this season is all about nurturing the home within and around you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
Unlike other political systems, fascism was not meant to be intellectualized or discussed; it was meant to be experienced.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Rather than intellectualize the club, the song gives in to a thumping house beat and fame’s champagne-gold façade.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Put simply, their connection is intellectualized rather than embodied.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
The media entertains these questions, in an effort to intellectualize the ideologies underpinning the cult’s bloodlust.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
The problem is that Di Constanzo seems to be intellectualizing his themes rather than dramatizing them.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
The goal here is not to inform or educate, to listen or process, to build or intellectualize but to win, to own, to dunk on, to break the opponent’s brain, to spawn an argument of such devastating definitiveness that the matter can be considered, once and for all, closed.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intellectualize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectualize. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
intellectualize
transitive verb
in·tel·lec·tu·al·ize
variants
or chiefly British intellectualise
intellectualized or chiefly British intellectualised; intellectualizing or chiefly British intellectualising
1
: to give rational form or content to
2
: to avoid conscious recognition of the emotional basis of (an act or feeling) by substituting a superficially plausible explanation
conflicts that are intellectualized—L. E. Hinsie
L. E. HinsieLove words? Need even more definitions?
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