externalize

American  

[ik-stur-nl-ahyz] / ɪkˈstɜr nlˌaɪz /

especially British, externalise

verb (used with object)

externalized, externalizing

1. to make external; embody in an outward form.

2. to regard as consisting of externals.

3. to regard or treat as being caused by externals; attribute to external causes.

   to externalize one's difficulties.

4. to direct (the personality) outward in social relationships.

---

externalize British  

/ ɪkˈstɪərɪəˌraɪz, ɪkˈstɜːnəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make external; give outward shape to

2. psychol to attribute (one's own feelings) to one's surroundings

---

Other Word Forms

• externalization noun
• nonexternalized adjective
• semiexternalized adjective

Etymology

Origin of externalize

First recorded in 1850–55; external + -ize

Example Sentences

“I’m really glad Chloé went with the more internalized ones because then it would just be two people externalizing,” Mescal says.

From Los Angeles Times

Cam’s confusion is represented by externalizing his inner voice into a double, “the angel on my shoulder and, honestly, sometimes the devil,” with whom he argues, like a difficult imaginary friend.

From Los Angeles Times

“A Fantastic Woman” is still a movie that is externalizing a trans experience, because why is she a fantastic woman?

From Salon

The solution to some kind of environmental damage was simply externalized to somewhere else.

From Salon

Phthalate exposure is just one way the plastics industry externalizes harms.

From Salon