recategorize
verb
re·cat·e·go·rize
(ˌ)rē-ˈka-ti-gə-ˌrīz 
recategorized; recategorizing; recategorizes
: to put into a different category : reclassify
recategorized the drug as a controlled substance
Neptune is the eighth and furthest planet from the Sun, since Pluto was recategorized as a dwarf planet.—
James L. Chen
James L. Chen
recategorization
noun
plural recategorizations
Nye supported the recategorization of Pluto by the International Astronomical Union. Its makeup more closely matches a comet, he said.
—Mark Bennett
Mark Bennett
Examples of recategorize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cumming said the lawsuit comes after the city refused to comply with a subpoena by trying to recategorize it as a request under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA).
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Each response was reviewed by a human coder to ensure it was accurately categorized and then, if necessary, recategorized.
—Emily Guskin, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Last summer, Tyson wrote a letter to Trump urging him to federally recategorize cannabis as a less harmful substance.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Dozens of asylum cases filed by Somali migrants in immigration courts were suddenly rescheduled and recategorized over the weekend, according to four lawyers interviewed by NPR.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
This approach could help children learn how to recategorize misplaced fear as a manageable emotion by approaching it piece by piece.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025
In 2000, it was identified as Rhabdophis nuchalis and a year later, recategorized again as Rhabdophis guangdongensis, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
From ‘impact’ to ‘culture’ to ’retention’ and ‘wellbeing’ - the titles of chief diversity officers, and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officers are now being recategorized at an alarming rate with new words, acronyms and language.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The proposal would follow a Department of Justice recommendation and lead the DEA to take public comments on a plan to recategorize marijuana.
—Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Each response was reviewed by a human coder to ensure it was accurately categorized and then, if necessary, recategorized.
—Emily Guskin, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Last summer, Tyson wrote a letter to Trump urging him to federally recategorize cannabis as a less harmful substance.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Dozens of asylum cases filed by Somali migrants in immigration courts were suddenly rescheduled and recategorized over the weekend, according to four lawyers interviewed by NPR.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
This approach could help children learn how to recategorize misplaced fear as a manageable emotion by approaching it piece by piece.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025
In 2000, it was identified as Rhabdophis nuchalis and a year later, recategorized again as Rhabdophis guangdongensis, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
From ‘impact’ to ‘culture’ to ’retention’ and ‘wellbeing’ - the titles of chief diversity officers, and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officers are now being recategorized at an alarming rate with new words, acronyms and language.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The proposal would follow a Department of Justice recommendation and lead the DEA to take public comments on a plan to recategorize marijuana.
—Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recategorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recategorize. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
