radicalize

1 of 2

verb

rad·​i·​cal·​ize ˈra-di-kə-ˌlīz 

radicalized; radicalizing

transitive verb

: to make radical especially in politics

radicalization

ˌra-di-kə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

radicalization

2 of 2

noun

rad·​i·​cal·​i·​za·​tion ˌra-di-kə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌlī-ˈzā-

plural -s

: the act or process of radicalizing or the condition of being radicalized

Examples of radicalize in a Sentence

Verb

The war has radicalized an entire generation of young people.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Farmers, radicalized by this state of affairs, banded together and stunned the nation in the elections of 1890, which yielded seven congressmen and one senator from Kansas and Nebraska. — Kyle Paoletta, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

President Joe Biden’s administration shows that attempts to turn the page on fascist criminality without imposing stiff legal consequences will only result in the far right coming back stronger and more radicalized. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Part of what makes 764 and other Nihilistic Violent Extremist groups so terrifying is that in addition to grooming minor victims, members also intentionally recruit and radicalize juveniles to become predators themselves, according to the FBI. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

But Chism, whom Ronson tracks down, has not been radicalized by the wave of hatred that came his way. — Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

radicalize + -ation

First Known Use

Verb

1830, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for radicalize

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

Kids Definition

radicalize

verb

rad·​i·​cal·​ize ˈrad-i-kə-ˌlīz 

radicalized; radicalizing

: to make radical