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

Just this week, Elon Musk’s xAI came under fire after its AI chatbot Grok was repeatedly used to create nude or sexualized AI images of women and minors. —Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026

Elon Musk's platform is facing global backlash after reports emerged that its image creation feature allowed users to sexualize pictures of women and children using simple text prompts. —CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026

However, Grok’s standalone app and website still allowed users to prompt Grok to digitally undress, sexualize or degrade people without first obtaining consent to use their photos or clips. —Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026

The move comes after a spate of users have asked Grok to take existing pictures on the platform and sexualize them, putting the people in the images in underwear or bikinis. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 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