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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• externalization noun
• nonexternalized adjective
• semiexternalized adjective

Etymology

Origin of externalize

First recorded in 1850–55; external + -ize

Example Sentences

Under my leadership, this council won’t externalize our policymaking authority.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 4, 2024

We actually had to cut down quite a bit of the dialogue, the chatter, and so on, and externalize a lot of the interior emotions that Martha was feeling.

From The Verge • Jun. 5, 2022

Flahive: There’s something about being forced to externalize things and literalize things that actually made certain things feel bigger in a way that was exciting and allowed you to be a little bit more playful.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2022

The premiere's opening scenes externalize this by showing the material beginning of Saul Goodman's finish, starting with a black and white cascade of ties that fade into color.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2022

“That’s what I mean. You have to tell me everything, externalize it all for me, so I can write it.”

From "The River" by Gary Paulsen