verbalize

verb

ver·​bal·​ize ˈvər-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce verbalize (audio)
verbalized; verbalizing

intransitive verb

1
: to express something in words
2
: to speak or write verbosely

transitive verb

1
: to name or express in words
2
: to convert into a verb
verbalization noun
verbalizer noun

Examples of verbalize in a Sentence

She didn't know how to verbalize her feelings. couldn't quite verbalize the cause of his mental distress
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.
The screenplay, by Moll and Gilles Marchand, prioritizes verbalizing the step-by-step realization of who shot Guillaume and leans on expositional dialogue to move things along. Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 15 May 2025 Carr understands this on some level, but has too much faith in his coaching staff and teammates to verbalize the possibility of failure. Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 12 May 2025 But conflicts can be worsened when underlying emotions, never verbalized, emerge after the caregiving ends. Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 The person still feels pain, but may not be able to localize it or verbalize it. Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for verbalize

Word History

Etymology

verbal entry 1 + -ize, perhaps after French verbaliser

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of verbalize was in 1609

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Verbalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verbalize. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

verbalize

verb
ver·​bal·​ize ˈvər-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce verbalize (audio)
verbalized; verbalizing
: to express in words
found it difficult to verbalize her feelings

More from Merriam-Webster on verbalize

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