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

Petticrew, who is 30 but played a teen convincingly as recently as 2024’s Say Nothing, portrays Catherine as the sociopathic consequence of a culture prone to sexualizing the young. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

In a May preprint paper, researchers identified 420 apps touted as generic face-swapping tools and tested 155 to see if they could be used to sexualize images. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

Netflix is always in search of cheap new reality show hits, and most of theirs so far have been romantic or outright sexualized in nature. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 15 June 2026

The whimsical looks have sparked debate online, with some accusing the 23-year-old pop star of sexualizing children's clothes. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026

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