prioritize

verb

pri·​or·​i·​tize prī-ˈȯr-ə-ˌtīz 

-ˈär-;

ˈprī-ə-rə-

prioritized; prioritizing

transitive verb

: to list or rate (projects, goals, etc.) in order of priority

prioritization

prī-ˌȯr-ə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

-är-;

ˌprī-ə-rə-

noun

Examples of prioritize in a Sentence

It's always difficult to prioritize work, school, and family.

If you want to do your job efficiently, you have to learn to prioritize.

The town council hopes to prioritize the bridge construction project at the next meeting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Magyar, whose party Tisza won a super-majority in parliament which will enable deep and quick reforms, has said his government will prioritize policies affecting judicial independence, academic and media freedom and anti-corruption in order to get access to the money. —ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

The agency prioritized speed over vetting — some workers started jobs before full background checks, drawing criticism from former officials who warn this increases risks of abuse and misconduct. —Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

The United States Senate Committee on the Budget conducted a study which included Prospect that found that private equity in health care prioritized profits over patient care. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026

This is your cue to restructure, prioritize and take your well-being seriously, because ignoring it will only slow you down more. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prioritize

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