externalize
verb
ex·ter·nal·ize
ek-ˈstər-nə-ˌlīz 
externalized; externalizing
1
: to make external or externally manifest
2
: to attribute to causes outside the self : rationalize
externalized his lack of ability to succeed
Examples of externalize in a Sentence
an actress with an expressive face that wonderfully externalizes a wide range of emotions
Recent Examples on the Web
The best outcome would be a new global trade agreement among economies that commit to managing their domestic economic imbalances rather than externalizing them in the form of trade surpluses.
—
Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
For Cass, living out in the world, among other people, is precarious, whether because of their gender identity, the childhood traumas that have left them unable to trust people, or the subtle, unspoken space where the two overlap — externalized by Oxman with riveting, static closeups.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
From a depth psychology perspective, this often manifests as projection—externalizing fears onto rivals, distorting clarity.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
For Cass, living out in the world, among other people, is precarious, whether because of their gender identity, the childhood traumas that have left them unable to trust people, or the subtle, unspoken space where the two overlap — externalized by Oxman with riveting, static closeups.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for externalize
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Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
For Cass, living out in the world, among other people, is precarious, whether because of their gender identity, the childhood traumas that have left them unable to trust people, or the subtle, unspoken space where the two overlap — externalized by Oxman with riveting, static closeups.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
From a depth psychology perspective, this often manifests as projection—externalizing fears onto rivals, distorting clarity.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
For Cass, living out in the world, among other people, is precarious, whether because of their gender identity, the childhood traumas that have left them unable to trust people, or the subtle, unspoken space where the two overlap — externalized by Oxman with riveting, static closeups.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for externalize
Cite this Entry
“Externalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/externalize. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
externalize
transitive verb
ex·ter·nal·ize
variants
or British externalise
externalized or British externalised; externalizing or British externalising
1
a
: to transform from a mental image into an apparently real object (as in hallucinations) : attribute (a mental image) to external causation
externalizing an obsession
b
: to invent an explanation for (an inner problem whose actual basis is known only subconsciously) by attributing to causes outside the self : rationalize, project
externalized his failure
2
: to direct outward socially
externalized her anger
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