contextualize

[ kuhn-teks-choo-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, con·tex·tu·al·ized, con·tex·tu·al·iz·ing.

1. to put (a linguistic element, an action, etc.) in a context, especially one that is characteristic or appropriate, as for purposes of study.

contextualize

/ kənˈtɛkstjʊəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. tr to state the social, grammatical, or other context of; put into context

Other Words From

• con·textu·al·i·zation noun
• noncon·textu·al·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contextualize¹

First recorded in 1930–35; contextual + -ize

Example Sentences

History and hindsight have made it a little difficult to contextualize what the Lakers accomplished last winter, the team hoisting a trophy and hanging a banner after winning the NBA’s first in-season tournament championship.

From Los Angeles Times

While news outlets rushed to provide “fact-checking,” which boiled down to “None of this is true,” the country, already exhausted and traumatized by a pandemic, tried to contextualize the enormity of Trump’s actions.

From Los Angeles Times

They contextualize her personality but don’t speak for her even when she can’t or won’t weigh in on the most compelling reveals Cutler shows us, which is a palpable loneliness and pain.

From Salon

In her mind, Cutler didn’t do enough to contextualize what a groundbreaking product “Martha Stewart” magazine was.

From Salon

The book both published and contextualized the notes Babb took while she was working at the FSA camps with Tom Collins.

From Salon