politicize

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

Examples of politicize in a Sentence

They have politicized the budget process.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since its creation, the Task Force has been criticized by Democratic lawmakers and some historians as an effort to politicize America’s birthday bash. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

Trump baselessly suggested this morning that Reiner and his wife died because of Reiner’s anti-Trump views, politicizing their deaths as other conservatives expressed condolences. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025

The history contained in their designs is often negotiated and politicized, which is manifested into coins as public memory. —Seth T. Kannarr, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025

Our security procedures are based solely on legitimate safety concerns, and any attempt to politicize this reality is both dangerous and reckless. —Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

politic or politic(s) + -ize

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for politicize

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