compartmentalize

especially British, com·part·men·tal·ise

[kuhm-pahrt-men-tl-ahyz, kom-pahrt-]

verb (used with object)

compartmentalized, compartmentalizing 

1. to divide into separate and isolated categories, sections, areas, or compartments: compartment.

   Instead of compartmentalizing tasks, employees can be trained broadly.

2. Psychology.,  to mentally separate or set aside (one’s incompatible or negative emotions, beliefs, or behaviors): Unfortunately, the experiences at work are not easily compartmentalized—they stay with the nurses and affect every aspect of their lives.

   Ripley, a serial killer, has the capacity to compartmentalize his thoughts, push his conscience conveniently aside, in order to live with himself.

   Unfortunately, the experiences at work are not easily compartmentalized—they stay with the nurses and affect every aspect of their lives.

compartmentalize

/ ˌkɒmpɑːtˈmɛntəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (usually tr) to put or divide into (compartments, categories, etc), esp to an excessive degree

Other Word Forms

• compartmentalization noun
• decompartmentalize verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of compartmentalize¹

First recorded in 1920–25; compartmental + -ize

Example Sentences

“My Spanish house was amazing but very compartmentalized,” she says.

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So I stopped trying to be my whole self everywhere, and gave myself permission to prioritize and compartmentalize.

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Alma wants this thing so f*cking badly, and so much of that has been predicated on being able to compartmentalize and being able to not look at certain things from her past.

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Her generation was inculcated to cozy up to men in power and treat younger women like competition or pets; she keeps her conscience as compartmentalized as a box of fishing tackle.

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“There were so many doors,” he said of the compartmentalized floor plan.

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Related Words

• break up 
• cut off 
• insulate