westernize

American  

[wes-ter-nahyz] / ˈwɛs tərˌnaɪz /

especially British, westernise

verb (used with object)

westernized, westernizing

1. to influence with ideas, customs, practices, etc., characteristic of Europe and North America.

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westernize British  

/ ˈwɛstəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to influence or make familiar with the customs, practices, etc, of the West

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Other Word Forms

• westernization
  noun
• unwesternized
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of westernize

First recorded in 1830–40; western + -ize

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Explanation

To westernize is to impose aspects of European or North American culture on a group of people in another part of the world. When a society westernizes, it adopts the norms or customs (or pop culture) of Western nations. An African city with a McDonald's is one example of this, as is a trend of wearing jeans and sweatshirts in an Indian village. Many people have become westernized by force throughout history, when colonizers moved in and imposed Christianity, Western-style clothing, or the English language. Westernize was first used in the 1800s, originally in reference to Japan becoming "more like the West."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

westernize westernized westernizing

Imperial biographer Robert K. Massie paints a satisfying portrait of Catherine the woman and Catherine the ruler, and her attempts to modernize and westernize Russia.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2020

Meanwhile, throughout the production the “Death Note” team dealt with criticism from fans of the Ohba/Obata manga, resentful of Wingard and company’s attempt to westernize a Japanese creation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2017

For better or for worse, Peter the Great had tried to westernize and reform the culture and government of Russia.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012

Since attempts to individualize and westernize Indians had obviously failed, Commissioner Collier proposed to revive the tribes' old life and culture, help them become selfsupporting, largely self-governing, thoroughly Indian communities.

From Time Magazine Archive

Da Gama and Albuquerque began a movement, which still continues, to "westernize" Asia by opening it up to European influence.

From Early European History by Hutton Webster

That was particularly strong for Mr. Firoz, who grew up with a westernized outlook in Kabul, then saw the U.S. arrive to liberate his city.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 10, 2023

Of course, veganism and vegetarianism originated long before westernized veganism became popular.

From Salon ● Jan. 26, 2023

“So much of westernized medicine is in the fabric of our communities, our lives, our culture,” he said.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 19, 2022

While Taiji is initially friendly, at a time when Japanese nationalism is swelling, he is also suspicious and disapproving, telling his old friend that he’s too familiar with Westerners, and is rather suspiciously westernized himself.

From New York Times ● Sep. 16, 2021

Of ancient Korean houses and tall westernized buildings.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Courts past their initial goal of westernizing Indian country.

From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2022

“One of the amazing things about Wakanda is that it is an African nation that is wholly self-determining and without influence from the outside, without westernizing influence. It’s never been conquered or colonized.”

From The Guardian ● Feb. 13, 2018

If a modern westernizing world were to be unified peacefully," Toynbee said, "one could imagine, in 2002, a political map not unlike that of the Graeco-Roman world in A.D.

From Time Magazine Archive

The railroad is the dream come true of a westernizing, wilful ruler who still believes in the 19th-Century notion that railroad-building is a matter of national prestige.

From Time Magazine Archive

The motive for the westernizing policy is to get influence in European politics.

From Folkways A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners, Customs, Mores, and Morals by William Graham Sumner

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