medicalize

American  

[med-i-kuh-lahyz] / ˈmɛd ɪ kəˌlaɪz /

especially British, medicalise

verb (used with object)

medicalized, medicalizing

1. to handle or accept as deserving of or appropriate for medical treatment.

---

Other Word Forms

• medicalization noun

Etymology

Origin of medicalize

medical + -ize

Example Sentences

While it’s trendy to either feverishly promote Ozempic, Wegovy or their many knock-off versions, or to dump on the whole idea, dismissing it as the product of a sick and bigoted society and corporations eager to medicalize anything they can, there’s far more to it than that.

From Salon

But she also sees a temptation among public officials to villainize or medicalize loneliness— and to tout simplistic “solutions” to a complex and natural part of the human experience.

From Science Magazine

I'd really love to see us cutting down on our need to medicalize and biologize every human experience.

From Salon

Or does labeling people prediabetic merely “medicalize” a normal part of aging, creating needless anxiety for those already coping with multiple health problems?

From New York Times

In the meantime, however, let’s not medicalize everyday stress.

From New York Times