internalize

verb

in·​ter·​nal·​ize in-ˈtər-nə-ˌlīz 

internalized; internalizing

transitive verb

: to give a subjective character to

specifically : to incorporate (values, patterns of culture, etc.) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization

internalization

in-ˌtər-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of internalize in a Sentence

They have internalized their parents' values.

Recent Examples on the Web

Teens internalize parental anxieties and emulate them. —Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Children in the hyper-to-hypo group had fewer mental health problems (both internalizing and externalizing symptoms) than those in the hypersecretion group. —New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025

For Lapin, who grew up with trauma and internalized fears about money, or the lack thereof, this means understanding financial jargon and modeling healthy mindsets for her daughter. —Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025

However, that doesn't mean everyone in the public eye needs to internalize hateful words. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for internalize

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

Medical Definition

internalize

transitive verb

in·​ter·​nal·​ize

variants or chiefly British internalise

in-ˈtərn-ᵊl-ˌīz 

internalized or chiefly British internalised; internalizing or chiefly British internalising

: to give a subjective character to

specifically : to incorporate (as values or patterns of culture) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization

internalization noun

or chiefly British internalisation

-ˌtərn-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən