infantilize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to keep in or reduce to an infantile state.
-
to treat or regard as infantile or immature.
Other Word Forms
- infantilization noun
Etymology
Origin of infantilize
1940–45; infantile + -ize, or by back formation from infantilization
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Public policy shouldn’t infantilize people simply because minors might misuse a product.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025
Burnett never insists that they’re the sane ones, nor does he infantilize Fish and Poinsettia’s afflictions.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2025
We infantilize them, as though only in having a present, committed partner are we truly grown-ups.
From Salon • Nov. 24, 2022
Like Martha in “Poms,” she has cancer, but the fact of Frankie’s illness doesn’t infantilize her.
From New York Times • Dec. 26, 2019
Don’t infantilize him by saying his self-esteem is too low for you to admit you violated the terms of your agreement.
From Slate • Apr. 9, 2019
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
