politicize

1 of 2

verb

po·​lit·​i·​cize pə-ˈli-tə-ˌsīz 

politicized; politicizing

transitive verb

: to give a political tone or character to

an attempt to politicize the civil service

politicization

pə-ˌli-tə-sə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

politicization

2 of 2

noun

po·​lit·​i·​ci·​za·​tion pəˌlitə̇sə̇ˈzāshən 

plural -s

: the act or process of politicizing

the politicization of art is typical of totalitarian tyranny

—B. W. Garfield

Examples of politicize in a Sentence

Verb

They have politicized the budget process.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Antell has seen it before, as past corporate consolidation has reduced and politicized access to archival news footage. — Addie Morfoot, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

Many performers said that the arts center had become politicized. — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

While her successor, Markwayne Mullin, has worked to reverse some of the upheaval, Democrats are accusing Trump of politicizing disaster relief. — Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

The Justice Department didn't respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on accusations that it is increasingly politicized. — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

politic or politic(s) + -ize

First Known Use

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1918, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for politicize

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