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

Term limits would politicize the judiciary further and risk turning it into another partisan branch. — Brent Andersen, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

That’s on top of fears around politicizing agencies like the Postal Service to play referee on who can receive a mail-in ballot, as well as concerns about how the government may use voter data. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026

The motion is unlikely to pass, but indicates how deeply politicized the issue has become. — CNN Money, 7 July 2026

But that’s a heated and politicized 250-year-old debate that will continue indefinitely. — Los Angeles Times, 6 July 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