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

But go ahead and try to actually verbalize just what is meant by the flow or passage of time. —Adrian Bardon, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2025

And on Sunday, Nick Bolton, the proverbial green-dot defensive play-caller for five years, verbalized a call that he’s never used before. —Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025

True consent is clear, enthusiastic, ongoing, verbalized, freely given and able to be withdrawn at any time. —Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025

Listening to people verbalize their experience, frustrations and expectations in real time reveals emotional triggers and priorities that metrics alone won’t show. —Goran Paun, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025

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
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

verbalize

verb

ver·​bal·​ize ˈvər-bə-ˌlīz 

verbalized; verbalizing

: to express in words

found it difficult to verbalize her feelings