intellectualize

American  

[in-tl-ek-choo-uh-lahyz] / ˌɪn tlˈɛk tʃu əˌlaɪz /

especially British, intellectualise

verb (used with object)

intellectualized, intellectualizing

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.

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verb (used without object)

intellectualized, intellectualizing

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

   to intellectualize about world problems.

intellectualize British  

/ ˌɪntɪˈlɛktʃʊəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become intellectual

2. (tr) to treat or consider in an intellectual way; rationalize

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Other Word Forms

• intellectualization noun
• intellectualizer noun
• overintellectualization noun
• overintellectualize verb
• semi-intellectualized adjective

Etymology

Origin of intellectualize

First recorded in 1810–20; intellectual + -ize

Related Words

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