EXTERNALIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does externalize mean? 

• EXTERNALIZE (verb)
  The verb EXTERNALIZE has 2 senses:

1. regard as objective

2. make external or objective, or give reality to

  Familiarity information: EXTERNALIZE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXTERNALIZE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they externalize    ... he / she / it externalizes   
Past simple: externalized   
Past participle: externalized   
-ing form: externalizing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Regard as objective

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

externalise; externalize; project

Hypernyms (to "externalize" is one way to...):

ascribe; assign; attribute; impute (attribute or credit to)

Domain category:

psychological science; psychology (the science of mental life)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make external or objective, or give reality to

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

exteriorise; exteriorize; externalise; externalize; objectify

Context example:

language externalizes our thoughts

Hypernyms (to "externalize" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

 Context examples 

In this study, children with higher blood lead levels had internalizing problems, such as anxiety and depression, as well as some externalizing problems.

(Lead in kids’ blood linked with behavioral and emotional problems, NIH)

U.S. studies have reported that lead exposure causes what psychologists call externalizing behavior problems, such as aggressiveness and bullying, which may lead to truancy and even jail time as children get older.

(Lead in kids’ blood linked with behavioral and emotional problems, NIH)