essentialize

[ uh-sen-shuh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, es·sen·tial·ized, es·sen·tial·iz·ing.

1. to extract the essence from; express the essence of.

Word History and Origins

Origin of essentialize¹

First recorded in 1660–70; essential + -ize

Example Sentences

Yet most of the narratives upon which we have settled continue to essentialize race and gender almost to the exclusion of everything else.

From Slate

They essentialize the region far too much.

From Salon

According to the developmental psychologist Susan Gelman, when we “essentialize” social groups, we assume that individual differences can be explained by inherent or inborn characteristics shared by members of that group.

From Scientific American

Instead, if we are to focus on the elements of who we are, let us essentialize our formidable capacity for compassion towards each other.

From Scientific American

People who are inclined to essentialize the social world tend to believe in the reality of social stereotypes, giving greater meaning to features that are only skin deep.

From Scientific American