internalize

American  

[in-tur-nl-ahyz] / ɪnˈtɜr nlˌaɪz /

especially British, internalise

verb (used with object)

internalized, internalizing

1. to incorporate (the cultural values, mores, motives, etc., of another or of a group), as through learning, socialization, or identification.

2. to make subjective or give a subjective character to.

3. Linguistics. to acquire (a linguistic rule, structure, etc.) as part of one's language competence.

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internalize British  

/ ɪnˈtɜːnəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. Also: interiorize.  (tr) psychol sociol to make internal, esp to incorporate within oneself (values, attitudes, etc) through learning or socialization Compare introject

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Other Word Forms

• internalization noun
• quasi-internalized adjective
• semi-internalized adjective
• uninternalized adjective

Etymology

Origin of internalize

First recorded in 1940–45; internal + -ize

Example Sentences

Several sculptures are based on the form of the falcon—a creature that Mr. Puryear has seemingly internalized like an alter ego.

From The Wall Street Journal

The fallout from such portrayals, says DJ Ida, director of the National Asian Pacific Islander Mental Health Assn., is that families internalize societal fears about mental illness and mass shootings.

From Los Angeles Times

“You can very much internalize things right now and go to dark places pretty easily.”

From Los Angeles Times

“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

Since making the record and performing it frequently, she says she’s internalized the lessons she learned along the way.

From Los Angeles Times