Meaning & use
Infantilizes
Last updated
Treats someone as if they were a young child, especially by denying them independence or responsibility.
See it in a sentence
Critics argue that treating adult patients this way infantilizes them.
The show's condescending tone infantilizes its audience with constant over-explanation.
A note on using this word
Built from 'infant' plus the suffix '-ize', meaning to make or treat as; often used critically of paternalistic attitudes.
Words with a similar meaning
patronizesbelittles
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
empowers
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