commodify

verb

com·​mod·​i·​fy kə-ˈmä-də-ˌfī How to pronounce commodify (audio)
commodified; commodifying
Synonyms of commodifynext

transitive verb

: to turn (something, such as an intrinsic value or a work of art) into a commodity
attempts to commodify the water supply
commodification
kə-ˌmä-də-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce commodify (audio)
noun

Examples of commodify in a Sentence

Do we really want to commodify our water supply? I feel like our culture is being commodified.
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.
Publicis and other advertising firms argue that these new AI tools makes marketing more relevant to customers and less wasteful, but regulators — particularly in Europe — remain wary of systems that commodify vast amounts of personal data. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 If the sole aim of a company is to profit, extraction and exploitation become the norm as businesses seek new resources to commodify The theory of shareholder wealth maximization has, in recent years, been met with significant scrutiny. — Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 9 Jan. 2025 Far from democratizing creativity, these projects frequently centralize authority and commodify the works of individual creators. — Virginie Berger, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 This refers to the societal tendency to commodify every aspect of life, often to the detriment of authenticity and human connection. — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for commodify

Word History

Etymology

see commodity

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of commodify was in 1976

Rhymes for commodify

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Browse Nearby Words

commode
commodify
commodious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commodify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commodify. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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