verbalize

verb

ver·​bal·​ize ˈvər-bə-ˌlīz 

verbalized; verbalizing

intransitive verb

1

: to express something in words

2

: to speak or write verbosely

transitive verb

1

: to name or express in words

2

: to convert into a verb

verbalization

ˌvər-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

verbalizer

ˈvər-bə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Synonyms of verbalize

• say
• utter
• tell
• talk
• speak
• discuss
• share

Examples of verbalize in a Sentence

She didn't know how to verbalize her feelings.

couldn't quite verbalize the cause of his mental distress

Recent Examples on the Web

Northwestern said the device was designed especially for patients who cannot verbalize or otherwise communicate discomfort from stress, such as infants and some elderly patients. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 14 May 2026

An occasional over-reliance on voice-over hammers this home, verbalizing Benji’s constant need to be loved without giving the story space to breathe and reveal these beats more organically. —David Opie, IndieWire, 4 May 2026

Sometimes couples forget to verbalize their affection or show it in other ways. —Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

Using think-aloud protocols – a method where participants verbalize their thoughts while performing – our research captures how students interact with generative AI tools during the writing process itself. —Jeanne Beatrix Law, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

verbal entry 1 + -ize, perhaps after French verbaliser

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Rhymes for verbalize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

verbalize

verb

ver·​bal·​ize ˈvər-bə-ˌlīz 

verbalized; verbalizing

: to express in words

found it difficult to verbalize her feelings