radicalize

verb

Etymology: Etymology tree English radical Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English radicalize From radical + -ize.

1. To make radical.

   “The goal of the Cultural Revolution was to radicalize the whole society, to create mass participation at all levels of decision-making, and to restore the revolutionary élan of the 1940s.”

   “Described by witnesses as a keen cricketer and pubgoer until contacts with Islamic militants radicalized him on a trip to Pakistan, he was ordered to serve at least 14 years for the plot, and for supplying militants in Afghanistan with money and equipment.”

2. To become radical; to adopt a radical political stance.

   “He’s a delight and provides a little break in one’s timeline between heart-stopping political developments, at least until he himself radicalizes, which is bound to happen soon, because he is a French bulldog.”