internalize

verb

in·​ter·​nal·​ize in-ˈtər-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce internalize (audio)
internalized; internalizing

transitive verb

: to give a subjective character to
specifically : to incorporate (values, patterns of culture, etc.) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization
internalization noun

Examples of internalize in a Sentence

They have internalized their parents' values.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Antonia Gentry as Ginny Miller Ginny is an artful soul who has internalized the chaos of her upbringing as the child of a loving, but lawless mother. Erin Jensen, USA Today, 6 June 2025 Research has linked experiencing and internalizing weight stigma to less motivation and enjoyment of physical activity, less confidence about exercising, and less time spent exercising, Pearl said. Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 June 2025 According to an Association for Psychological Science study, those who reframe failure as feedback bounce back three times faster than those who internalize it. Akin Akinpelu, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 The reward model approximates these rules, and the language model could be said to internalize them. Cal Newport, New Yorker, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for internalize

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of internalize was in 1794

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Internalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internalize. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

internalize

transitive verb
in·​ter·​nal·​ize
variants or chiefly British internalise
internalized or chiefly British internalised; internalizing or chiefly British internalising
: to give a subjective character to
specifically : to incorporate (as values or patterns of culture) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization
internalization noun
or chiefly British internalisation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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