intellectualize

[ in-tl-ek-choo-uh-lahyz ]
/ ˌɪn tlˈɛk tʃu əˌlaɪz /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR intellectualize ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), in·tel·lec·tu·al·ized, in·tel·lec·tu·al·iz·ing.

to seek or consider the rational content or form of.
to make intellectual.
to analyze (something) intellectually or rationally.
to ignore the emotional or psychological significance of (an action, feeling, dream, etc.) by an excessively intellectual or abstract explanation.

verb (used without object), in·tel·lec·tu·al·ized, in·tel·lec·tu·al·iz·ing.

to talk or write intellectually; reason; philosophize: to intellectualize about world problems.
Also especially British, in·tel·lec·tu·al·ise.

Origin of intellectualize

First recorded in 1810–20; intellectual + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM intellectualize

Words nearby intellectualize

intellectual, intellectual property, intellectualism, intellectuality, intellectualization, intellectualize, intellectually handicapped, intelligence, intelligence agency, intelligence office, intelligence officer

Words related to intellectualize

justify, ponder, resolve, consider, study, appreciate, reflect, judge, speculate, excise, vindicate, deliberate, elucidate, extenuate, excuse, reason, think, reconcile, examine, ruminate

Example sentences from the Web for intellectualize

British Dictionary definitions for intellectualize

intellectualize

intellectualise

/ (ˌɪntɪˈlɛktʃʊəˌlaɪz) /

verb

to make or become intellectual
(tr) to treat or consider in an intellectual way; rationalize

Derived forms of intellectualize

intellectualization or intellectualisation, noun intellectualizer or intellectualiser, noun

Medical definitions for intellectualize

intellectualize
[ ĭn′tl-ĕk′chōō-ə-līz′ ]

v.

To furnish a rational structure or meaning for.
To engage in intellectualization.