intellectualize

[ in-tl-ek-choo-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, in·tel·lec·tu·al·ized, in·tel·lec·tu·al·iz·ing.

1. to seek or consider the rational content or form of.
2. to make intellectual.
3. to analyze (something) intellectually or rationally.
4. to ignore the emotional or psychological significance of (an action, feeling, dream, etc.) by an excessively intellectual or abstract explanation.

verb (used without object)

, in·tel·lec·tu·al·ized, in·tel·lec·tu·al·iz·ing.

1. to talk or write intellectually; reason; philosophize:

   to intellectualize about world problems.

intellectualize

/ ˌɪntɪˈlɛktʃʊəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become intellectual
2. tr to treat or consider in an intellectual way; rationalize

Derived Forms

• ˌintelˈlectualˌizer, noun
• ˌintelˌlectualiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• intel·lectu·al·i·zation noun
• intel·lectu·al·izer noun
• over·intel·lectu·al·i·zation noun
• over·intel·lectu·al·ize verb overintellectualized overintellectualizing
• semi-intel·lectu·al·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intellectualize¹

First recorded in 1810–20; intellectual + -ize

Example Sentences

Martiel doesn’t intellectualize slavery’s wake; instead, he makes it terribly present, in the body of a living person: his own.

From New York Times

His exchange with Hussain and Rosenberg promoted the humanity in these debates instead of turning them into a battle of statistics: These are people who have lost family and friends in this war and aren’t inclined to purely intellectualize the whys and hows of it.

From Salon

It makes sense to me that Palestinians and Israelis living in the conflict would develop what The New York Times called a lethal psychological chasm, but I expect something different from those of us with the luxury of peace and safety, the privilege to intellectualize from our computer screens, and the freedom to march on the streets.

From Seattle Times

Levi doesn’t intellectualize it like that, doesn’t have a straightforward intention.

From Los Angeles Times

Mainstream adult press, and the punditry class, intellectualize their coverage of Trump/MAGA/GOP primary voters; columns and op-eds yearning for someone within the Republican Party to save the party, and save America from another term, almost always, are coming from centrist and center-left media.

From Salon

Related Words

• appreciate
• consider
• figure out
• judge
• ponder
• reflect
• resolve
• speculate
• study