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

The godless ’60s had radicalized many Christians who saw the toxic stew of drugs, rock ’n’ roll, and shallow commercialism as a sign of the end times and vowed to reverse the demonic tide. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026

The administration failed to heed warnings that Iran was stronger militarily, more radicalized, and held more strategic and geographic influence. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 18 July 2026

Monday will mark eight weeks since authorities say two teens, apparently radicalized by hate online, stormed the Islamic Center of San Diego and killed three congregants, including a security guard who engaged them in a gunfight. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2026

And what happened on October 7th just blew our friend group apart, because half of them were radicalized to be anti-Israel, and the other bordered on being Islamophobic. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 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