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.
Source: wiktionary
Radicalize
/ˈɹædɪkəlaɪz/
Synonyms for "radicalize" (4 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (1)
Verb(1 words)
Strong matches (1)
Verb(1 words)
Related words (2)
Verb(2 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: convert, extremize, indoctrinate, polarize.
- Sentence evidence is available for radicalize, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "radicalize".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "radicalize"
Keep "radicalize" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "radicalize" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "radicalize", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "radicalize" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
6 entriesMore specific
3 entriesideological radicalizationpolitical radicalizationreligious radicalization
Collocations
6 entriesextremist recruitmentideological radicalizationonline radicalizationpolitical radicalizationradicalization processreligious radicalization
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriesSample sentences
4 total sentences available.
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.
Source: wiktionary
It’s been called “one of the most powerful radicalizing instruments of the 21st century,” “a petri dish of divisive, conspiratorial and sometimes hateful content,” and a tool that “drives people to the internet’s darkest corners.”
Source: wiktionary
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.
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "radicalize"?
Closest matches include convert, extremize, indoctrinate, polarize.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "radicalize"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.