radicalize

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

Examples of radicalize in a Sentence

The war has radicalized an entire generation of young people.

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Instead, they were radicalized in place through exposure to news reporting, online propaganda, preaching, and the fellowship of like-minded individuals. — Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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