sexualization

[ sek-shoo-uh-lahy-zey-shuhn, or, especially British, seks-yoo- ]

/ ˌsɛk ʃu ə laɪˈzeɪ ʃən, or, especially British, ˌsɛks yu- /

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noun

the act of endowing with sexual characteristics, or of excessively emphasizing those characteristics:In the real world, the sexualization of girls isn't confined to beauty pageants.Parents and other concerned adults have begun grassroots campaigns to counteract sexualization in advertising.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

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Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Also especially British, sex·u·al·i·sa·tion .

Origin of sexualization

sexual + -ization

Words nearby sexualization

sexual dimorphism, sexual generation, sexual harassment, sexual intercourse, sexuality, sexualization, sexualize, sexually transmitted disease, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual minority, sexual orientation

How to use sexualization in a sentence

But America the Beautiful III: The Sexualization of Our Youth is by far the most personal of my documentary films.
A Rallying Cry Against the Oversexualization of Our Youth|Darryl Roberts|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The double standard of sexualization is hypocritical at best and ineffectively vindictive at worse.
Full Frontal Disney: Feminism's Nudity Double Standard|Emily Shire|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The manufacturing and sexualization of young starlets is a particularly obvious example of this unavoidable reality.
Lana Del Rey and the Fault in Our ‘Feminist’ Stars|Amy Zimmerman|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To some degree, the sexualization of young girls is mainstream in Japan.
Japan's Kiddie Porn Empire: Bye-Bye?|Jake Adelstein, Angela Erika Kubo|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The combination of emotional abuse and overt sexualization resulted in an attachment disorder.
What Made Anders Behring Breivik a Mass Killer in Norway?|Aage Borchgrevink|November 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST