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Definitions

intellectualize

[in-tl-ek-choo-uh-lahyz] / ˌɪn tlˈɛk tʃu əˌlaɪz /
VERB
ratiocinate
Synonyms
STRONG
analyze appraise appreciate brood cerebrate cogitate comprehend conceive consider deduce deliberate estimate evaluate examine ideate imagine infer judge meditate mull muse ponder rationalize reason reflect resolve revolve ruminate speculate stew study weigh
WEAK
figure out have in mind logicalize mull over put on one's thinking cap rack one's brains sort out stop to consider take under consideration turn over use one's head
Antonyms
STRONG
dismiss disregard forget ignore misunderstand neglect
VERB
rationalize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
justify
STRONG
deliberate elucidate excise excuse extenuate reason reconcile resolve think vindicate
WEAK
account for apply logic cop a plea cop out explain away give alibi make allowance reason out think through
VERB
think
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appreciate consider figure out judge ponder reflect resolve speculate study
STRONG
analyze appraise brood cerebrate cogitate comprehend conceive deduce deliberate estimate evaluate examine ideate imagine infer meditate mull muse rationalize reason revolve ruminate stew weigh
WEAK
have in mind logicalize mull over rack one's brains sort out stop to consider take under consideration turn over use one's head
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disregard forget ignore neglect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“If you’re able to intellectualize that information and verbalize, this isn’t for you,” she says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

You can sit back afterward and intellectualize everything, but when you’re watching it, even when it’s weird, it makes logical sense.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2025

Martiel doesn’t intellectualize slavery’s wake; instead, he makes it terribly present, in the body of a living person: his own.

From New York Times • May 23, 2024

Levi doesn’t intellectualize it like that, doesn’t have a straightforward intention.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2023

How people who can’t face their own negative emotions intellectualize things?

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King