problematize

American  

[prob-luh-muh-tahyz] / ˈprɒb lə məˌtaɪz /

verb (used with object)

1. to treat (a commonly accepted concept, idea, belief, etc.) as a problem in need of a solution in order to analyze, question, or deconstruct received wisdom or self-evident truths.

---

Other Word Forms

• problematization
  noun

Etymology

Origin of problematize

First recorded in 1905–10; from Greek problēmat-, stem of próblēma problem ( def. ) + -ize ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

problematize

This myth, among others, such as California’s economic dominance and its reputation as a peaceful liberal haven, Didion sought to problematize in her writing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

Jacobs-Jenkins uses comedy not simply to disrupt and problematize the relationship between playwright and theatergoer, but to spring on a captive audience some horrific historical reality.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2020

A: I don’t want to problematize “feeling content.”

From Slate ● Apr. 28, 2020

“But they do not point out the facts that problematize what they are saying.”

From Washington Post ● Sep. 6, 2018

The contributors aren’t the first academic types to problematize, interrogate and otherwise analyze the series, which has also inspired courses at Northwestern and as well as at least one scholarly podcast.

From New York Times ● May 30, 2012