sexualize
verb
sex·u·al·ize ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-ˌlīz 
ˈsek-shə-ˌlīz
sexualized; sexualizing
transitive verb
: to make sexual : endow with a sexual character or cast
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The agenda has swung so far left in an attempt to sexualize our precious children that parents are fighting back. 
Fox News, 7 Apr. 2022 In the third act, the mirrors are tilted even further to objectify and sexualize the literal and metaphorical climax of the play, making its violence and eroticism inescapable. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2022 But Weaving sees it as misdirection away from sport federations that sexualize athletes through uniform requirements. Rachel Axon, USA TODAY, 30 July 2021 Despite her efforts to steer conversations toward the struggles facing the poor, reporters, show promoters and colleagues continued to sexualize and exoticize her. New York Times, 27 May 2021 The legislation follows a New York Times report earlier this week that YouTube has been recommending videos of children to users who sought out other content that could be used to sexualize minors. Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 7 June 2019 Still, the company has further to go in shaking its overtly sexualized legacy. Jonathan Roeder, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2019 Still, the company has further to go in shaking its overtly sexualized legacy. Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2019 The female gaze doesn’t only have to be on men, or not sexualizing women. Anne Cohen, refinery29.com, 21 Feb. 2020 See More
Fox News, 7 Apr. 2022 In the third act, the mirrors are tilted even further to objectify and sexualize the literal and metaphorical climax of the play, making its violence and eroticism inescapable. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2022 But Weaving sees it as misdirection away from sport federations that sexualize athletes through uniform requirements. Rachel Axon, USA TODAY, 30 July 2021 Despite her efforts to steer conversations toward the struggles facing the poor, reporters, show promoters and colleagues continued to sexualize and exoticize her. New York Times, 27 May 2021 The legislation follows a New York Times report earlier this week that YouTube has been recommending videos of children to users who sought out other content that could be used to sexualize minors. Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 7 June 2019 Still, the company has further to go in shaking its overtly sexualized legacy. Jonathan Roeder, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2019 Still, the company has further to go in shaking its overtly sexualized legacy. Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2019 The female gaze doesn’t only have to be on men, or not sexualizing women. Anne Cohen, refinery29.com, 21 Feb. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1839, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
sexualize
transitive verb
sex·u·al·ize
variants also British sexualise
ˈseksh-(ə-)wə-ˌlīz, ˈsek-shə-ˌlīz
sexualized also British sexualised; sexualizing also British sexualising
: to make sexual : endow with a sexual character or quality