To radicalize



Example: The group tried to radicalize young people through extreme ideas.

Definition


"To radicalize" means to cause someone to adopt extreme political, social, or religious ideas and beliefs, often leading to a desire for drastic change. In history, "to radicalize" typically involves influencing individuals or groups toward more extreme positions than they previously held.

Etymology


The word "to radicalize" comes from the noun "radical," which originated in the late 14th century from the Latin word 'radix,' meaning 'root.' The verb form emerged in the 20th century, reflecting the process of adopting ideas aimed at addressing root causes of issues. Did you know? The term often carries a political connotation, highlighting shifts toward more fundamental or revolutionary changes.

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"To radicalize" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - History - (B2) - set 1", containing 210 commonly used words.
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