sexualize

verb

sex·​u·​al·​ize ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-ˌlīz 

ˈsek-shə-ˌlīz

sexualized; sexualizing

transitive verb

: to make sexual : endow with a sexual character or cast

Examples of sexualize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But, man, that impish Louis Prima charm and silly and sexualized Groucho wit shines through. —Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2025

The ad also faced pushback more widely for being overly sexualized and out of touch, reminiscent of previous marketing norms that many say no longer resonate with the public. —Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025

Meta caught about 135,000 of them sexualizing children red-handed. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Others are saying the uproar is the culture's response from a society hellbent on sexualizing women. —Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sexualize

transitive verb

sex·​u·​al·​ize

variants also British sexualise

ˈseksh-(ə-)wə-ˌlīz, ˈsek-shə-ˌlīz 

sexualized also British sexualised; sexualizing also British sexualising

: to make sexual : endow with a sexual character or quality

sexualization noun

also British sexualisation

ˌseksh-(ə-)wə-lə-ˈzā-shən