sexualize

American  

[sek-shoo-uh-lahyz, seks-yoo-] / ˈsɛk ʃu əˌlaɪz, ˈsɛks yu- /

especially British, sexualise

verb (used with object)

sexualized, sexualizing

1. to render sexual; endow with sexual characteristics.

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sexualize British  

/ ˈsɛksjʊəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become sexual or sexually aware

2. to give or acquire sexual associations

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Other Word Forms

• desexualize verb (used with object)
• sexualization noun

Etymology

Origin of sexualize

First recorded in 1830–40; sexual + -ize

Example Sentences

Their experiences of being sexualized and shamed based solely on their bodies and clothing made these young women intent on reclaiming their autonomy from others.

From Salon

Competing chains such as Twin Peaks and Tilted Kilt pushed sexualized branding further, leaving Hooters’ original look almost quaint.

From Salon

She was just a goofy university undergraduate still acclimating to Italian culture when irresponsible coverage of Kercher’s crime transformed her into a sexualized femme fatale.

From Salon

They said the tech giant has "clear policies" on what responses its AI chatbots can offer, and said its policies "prohibit content that sexualizes children and sexualized role play between adults and minors".

From BBC

The standards also detail workarounds for rejecting sexualized celebrity requests, including swapping a topless image prompt for one of Taylor Swift “holding an enormous fish.”

From Salon