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

We have all been conditioned to accept and even to expect overt activism in the work of writers and artists whose personhood has been politicized. — Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026

French authorities urged people to avoid politicizing the incident while an investigation was under way, but Kushner’s office did not oblige. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Though the film doesn’t directly address the war in Gaza, it was politicized in Germany. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Pickup trucks emblazoned with American flags and country music have become politicized. — Valerie M. Fridland, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

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