normalize

[ nawr-muh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, nor·mal·ized, nor·mal·iz·ing.

1. to make normal:

   Traditional Chinese medicine uses ginseng to normalize blood pressure.

2. to cause (something previously considered abnormal or unacceptable) to be treated as normal:

   I have to resist the impulse to normalize her eccentricities.

3. to establish or resume (relations) in a normal manner, as between countries.
4. Statistics. to mathematically transform or adjust (the values in a data set) so that they fit a standard measure or scale, such as by making all the values fall between 0 and 1:

   Data was normalized before analysis.

5. Metallurgy. to heat (a steel alloy) to a suitable temperature above the transformation range and then cool it in still air at ambient temperature.

verb (used without object)

, nor·mal·ized, nor·mal·iz·ing.

1. to become normal; resume a normal state:

   Prices soon normalized after the war.

normalize

/ ˈnɔːməˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to bring or make into the normal state
2. to bring into conformity with a standard
3. to heat (steel) above a critical temperature and allow it to cool in air to relieve internal stresses; anneal

Other Words From

• nor·mal·i·za·tion [nawr-m, uh, -lahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• de·nor·mal·i·za·tion noun
• o·ver·nor·mal·i·za·tion noun
• o·ver·nor·mal·ize verb (used with object) overnormalized overnormalizing
• re·nor·mal·i·za·tion noun
• re·nor·mal·ize verb (used with object) renormalized renormalizing
• un·nor·mal·ized adjective
• un·nor·mal·iz·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of normalize¹

First recorded in 1860–65; normal + -ize

Example Sentences

The reckoning that needed to happen by the media in its normalizing of this man will now be replaced by the effort to hang on for dear life as the retribution begins.

From Salon

But it’s a simple story for a conman to tell, and the media’s willingness to normalize it radically shifted political discourse in Trump’s favor.

From Salon

We've normalized weird for so long that it seems impossible to suggest that it didn't have to be this way.

From Salon

To begin there already “normalizes” this race by cramming it into a familiar and reassuring political template.

From Salon

By acting as if it's a given that women should vote how their husbands tell them, these leaders are normalizing the attitudes that lead to domestic abuse.

From Salon

Related Words

• assign
• conduct
• distribute
• establish
• file
• place
• plan