radicalize

American  

[rad-i-kuh-lahyz] / ˈræd ɪ kəˌlaɪz /

especially British, radicalise

verb (used with object)

radicalized, radicalizing

1. to make radical or more radical, as in politics.

   young people who are being radicalized by extremist philosophies.

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verb (used without object)

radicalized, radicalizing

1. to become radical or more radical.

   The regime has increasingly radicalized since the coup.

radicalize British  

/ ˈrædɪkəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make (a person) more radical

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Other Word Forms

• radicalization noun

Etymology

Origin of radicalize

First recorded in 1815–20; radical + -ize

Example Sentences

Islamic State has also tried to exploit the reach of TikTok to radicalize and recruit young people, according to a U.N. counterterrorism report from July.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

They don’t seem to understand how much the internet can radicalize people.

From Slate • Dec. 5, 2025

The military presence there helped radicalize young Islamic militants such as Osama bin Laden.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2025

“There are people who are harmful and they’re trying to radicalize our children and we cannot ignore this,” Adams said.

From Seattle Times • May 1, 2024

This kind of thing should indeed radicalize us toward healthy material action if we have anything of a conscience left.

From Salon • Dec. 31, 2023