detribalize

especially British, de·trib·al·ise

[dee-trahy-buh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

detribalized, detribalizing 

1. to cause to lose tribal allegiances and customs, chiefly through contact with another culture.

detribalize

/ diːˈtraɪbəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to cause members of a tribe to lose their characteristic customs or social, religious, or other organizational features

2. to cause tribal people to adopt urban ways of life

Other Word Forms

• detribalization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of detribalize¹

First recorded in 1915–20; de- + tribal + -ize

Example Sentences

But his arguments about how “detribalized” we’ve become are undeniably strong.

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