editorialize

American  

[ed-i-tawr-ee-uh-lahyz, -tohr-] / ˌɛd ɪˈtɔr i əˌlaɪz, -ˈtoʊr- /

especially British, editorialise

verb (used without object)

editorialized, editorializing

1. to set forth one's position or opinion on some subject in, or as if in, an editorial.

2. to inject personal interpretations or opinions into an otherwise factual account.

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editorialize British  

/ ˌɛdɪˈtɔːrɪəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to express an opinion in or as in an editorial

2. to insert one's personal opinions into an otherwise objective account

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Other Word Forms

• editorialization noun
• editorializer noun
• overeditorialize verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of editorialize

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; editorial + -ize

Explanation

When you editorialize, you offer your opinion when it's not appropriate. A newspaper reporter might editorialize by describing a state's Governor as "a loud mouth." There are many times when it's perfectly acceptable to express your personal opinion, but whenever it's not okay — especially in journalism — you editorialize. In a news article about farming, a writer might editorialize by stating her personal preference for locally grown food, for example. The word editorialize was coined in 1856, meaning "introduce opinions into factual accounts," from editorial, "written by an editor," and the Latin root editor, "one who puts forth."

Example Sentences

We don't need him to editorialize about the mind of a hypothetical juror in a hypothetical case.”

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2024

“We’re not trying to editorialize on any of this.”

From Washington Times • Jun. 26, 2023

Memmel tended not to editorialize much while I was watching her in the gym, but now she came over to the monitor, where I was observing over Zoom, and grinned.

From New York Times • May 4, 2021

Compare that with attitudes at the time of King’s assassination, which occasioned the Chicago Tribune to editorialize against the perceived rending of the country’s social fabric.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2020

They lean with the prevailing winds and employ every fallacy of logic in order to editorialize harmoniously with popular prejudices.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin