infantilize

[ in-fuhn-tl-ahyz, -tahy-lahyz, in-fan-tl-ahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, in·fan·til·ized, in·fan·til·iz·ing.

1. to keep in or reduce to an infantile state.
2. to treat or regard as infantile or immature.

Other Words From

• infan·til·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infantilize¹

1940–45; infantile + -ize, or by back formation from infantilization

Example Sentences

When was the last time you heard a major politician in America infantilize women like this?

From Salon

While it’s easy to infantilize these furry, arboreal critters — a key reason why audiences’ hearts have been moved by them for decades — their cuteness should never eclipse their importance, as the Ewok tribe holds a pivotal role in the destruction of the Death Star.

From Salon

We are seeing adult women who aggressively reject society's efforts to infantilize them.

From Salon

Instead, we infantilize, coddle, normalize and excuse white rage, and by extension, MAGA.

From Salon

There’s this hunger to infantilize me, or any Black artist, for making the choice to collaborate with who they want to collaborate with, and always wanting to use race or gender or some identity marker as an assumed obstacle, when it may not be at all.

From New York Times