intellectualize

especially British, in·tel·lec·tu·al·ise

[in-tl-ek-choo-uh-lahyz]

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.

verb (used without object)

intellectualized, intellectualizing 

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

   to intellectualize about world problems.

intellectualize

/ ˌɪntɪˈlɛktʃʊəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become intellectual

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of intellectualize¹

First recorded in 1810–20; intellectual + -ize

Example Sentences

“I think I was trying to intellectualize my feelings to get away from being vulnerable,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

Sit in the building that originated “The Sopranos” and “The Wire” and you feel a certain pressure to intellectualize your ideas, to overstress your originality.

From Los Angeles Times

In the short run, that’s a positive coping skill, but in the long run, when you continue to intellectualize and you don’t feel, that can show in different ways like binge drinking, excessive shopping, excessive doomscrolling, physical breakdowns or even dipping into low-function depression.

From Los Angeles Times

You can sit back afterward and intellectualize everything, but when you’re watching it, even when it’s weird, it makes logical sense.

From Salon

I’m a psychologist and so the way I manage any negative feelings is to intellectualize: I think about the causes and context of a situation.

From Salon

Related Words

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