radicalize

[ rad-i-kuh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, rad·i·cal·ized, rad·i·cal·iz·ing.

1. to make radical or more radical, as in politics:

   young people who are being radicalized by extremist philosophies.

verb (used without object)

, rad·i·cal·ized, rad·i·cal·iz·ing.

1. to become radical or more radical:

   The regime has increasingly radicalized since the coup.

radicalize

/ ˈrædɪkəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make (a person) more radical

Derived Forms

• ˌradicaliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• rad·i·cal·i·za·tion [rad-i-k, uh, -l, uh, -, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of radicalize¹

First recorded in 1815–20; radical + -ize

Example Sentences

There’s a clear possibility that groups that are usually more mainstream could be radicalized.

From FiveThirtyEight

An increasingly radicalized, weaponized, and fascist entity that is actively hostile to the majority and our democracy.

From The Daily Beast

For years, Facebook allowed the proliferation of QAnon, an extremist ideology that has radicalized its followers, even though perpetrators of several violent acts had cited such beliefs as a motivation for their crimes.

From Washington Post

Misinformation experts have argued YouTube helps radicalize people by using algorithms to suggest more videos on the same topic to people who watch extremist content.

From Washington Post

She was also one of the celebrities targeted by adherents of QAnon, the sprawling set of false claims that have coalesced into an extremist ideology radicalizing its followers.

From Washington Post

Movements radicalize when their members become unable to have ordinary interactions with people different from themselves.

From The Daily Beast

What seems to have upset him the most was watching Alessa and Almonte radicalize a local teenager he calls “a regular street kid.”

From The Daily Beast

“This is scary; brutal methods will radicalize a larger number of women,” Sokirianskaya said.

From The Daily Beast

Trying to hold back history and peaceful change may radicalize the situation.

From The Daily Beast

American universities seem to radicalize more middle-class Arabs than did their upbringing in the Middle East.

From The Daily Beast