internalize

verb in·ter·nal·ize \ in-ˈtər-nə-ˌlīz \

Definition of internalize

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

play \in-ˌtər-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

See internalize defined for English-language learners

Examples of internalize in a Sentence

They have internalized their parents' values.

Recent Examples of internalize from the Web

Impassioned discussions have been had on the subject of whether donning a baseball cap is straight drag, or perpetuates toxic masculinity, or represents internalized homophobia — or whether a hat is just a hat.

— jason chen, The Cut, "If You’ve Never Seen the Top of Your Tinder Date’s Head, Perhaps You’re Being Hatfished," 23 Aug. 2017
Ariella certainly has internalized the message of the importance of the tree, may we all be blessed with this lesson as well.

— rabbi avi weiss, Jewish Journal, "Weiss: Each one of us is like the tree of the field," 21 Aug. 2017
And millions of people believe this, internalize it, form their political opinions based on it.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "Half of Republicans Have Demonstrated a Taste for Authoritarianism," 10 Aug. 2017
The 13 agents — all women — work off a standardized script that is designed to help callers internalize the lessons that Lantana and her fellow characters learn the hard way.

— Time, "Dial 1 for Empowerment: The Toll-Free Number Giving Nigeria's Girls Advice," 31 July 2017
This is the message that Washington Republicans need to internalize — pronto.

— deroy murdock, National Review, "Washington Republicans Have Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself," 29 July 2017
Children like her hear assumptions like that, internalize them, and have to live with them.

— The Cut, "The Mom Who Loves Her Daughter But Hates How She Was Conceived," 20 July 2017
Indeed, too many commentators do consciously or unconsciously internalize the logic of politicians and political activists by treating their own side with politeness and reserving derision for people associated with the opposing party.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "A Small Note on the Uses of Derision," 19 July 2017
For all their bluster and feints at rebellion, Dick and Muriel are good teens—not in the sense of having knuckled under to a pervasive moral code but of having internalized kindness and responsibility.

— tony adler, Chicago Reader, "The Goodman gives us Eugene O’Neill, without tears," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'internalize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of internalize

1794

INTERNALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

internalize

verb

Definition of internalize for English Language Learners

: to make (something, such as an idea or an attitude) an important part of the kind of person you are

Medical Dictionary

internalize

transitive verb in·ter·nal·ize

variants: or chiefly British internalise play \in-ˈtərn-ᵊl-ˌīz\

medical Definition of internalize

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

or chiefly British internalisation play \-ˌtərn-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

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Britannica English: Translation of internalize for Arabic speakers

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internalize

Definition of internalize

internalization

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First Known Use of internalize

INTERNALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

internalize

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internalize

medical Definition of internalize

internalization

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internalize

Definition of internalize

internalization

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internalize

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internalization

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