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Definition of "intellectualize" [in•tel•lec•tu•al•ize]

  • To furnish a rational structure or meaning for. (verb-transitive)
  • To avoid psychological insight into (an emotional problem) by performing an intellectual analysis. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "intellectualize" in a sentence
  • "In fact, "intellectualize" does appear to be a word meaning "to furnish a rational structure or meaning for," so I guess he's saying only liberals would judge "most liberal Senator" based on a rational meaning of "liberal.""
  • "No true conservative know-nothing would use the word "intellectualize"!"
  • "I look at him, and I think deborah is right that he would be confused and frightened if you tried to "intellectualize" the holocaust for him."