externalize

especially British, ex·ter·nal·ise

[ik-stur-nl-ahyz]

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

/ 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

• nonexternalized adjective
• semiexternalized adjective
• externalization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of externalize¹

First recorded in 1850–55; external + -ize

Example Sentences

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.

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

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"The solution to some kind of environmental damage was simply externalized to somewhere else. It was shifted basically to the global south."

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

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Research has long suggested a link between mothers' mental health during pregnancy and children's externalizing behaviors.

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