recontextualize

verb

re·​con·​tex·​tu·​al·​ize ˌrē-kən-ˈteks-chə-wə-ˌlīz 

-chə-ˌlīz

recontextualized; recontextualizing; recontextualizes

transitive verb

: to place (something, such as a literary or artistic work) in a different context

Examples of recontextualize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But these songs don’t sound the least bit assured, partly because their sonic elements recontextualize them in the world of Western rap (fashion-rap cornball Teezo Touchdown has credits, as does JPEGMAFIA). —Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026

Plenty of other changes to the game — for instance, the shift in leniency of assist tracking — have irrevocably recontextualized the gravity of a triple-double. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

In this way, as high-functioning digital tools are radically recontextualizing the world of investing, financial dashboards are evolving to meet new needs and answer new problems. —William Jones, Ascend Agency, 7 Feb. 2026

On some dessert menus, corn gets recontextualized to play on memory. —Charlie Kolodziej, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recontextualize

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

Kids Definition

recontextualize

verb

re·​con·​tex·​tu·​al·​ize ˌrē-kən-ˈteks-chə-wə-ˌlīz 

-chə-ˌlīz

: to place (something, as a literary or artistic work) in a different context

recontextualizing the story