artificialize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low
UK/ˌɑː.tɪˈfɪʃ.əl.aɪz/US/ˌɑːr.t̬əˈfɪʃ.əl.aɪz/

Formal / Technical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “artificialize” mean?

To make something artificial.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

To make something artificial; to give an artificial character to.

To replace natural qualities, processes, or conditions with synthetic or human-made equivalents; to impose artificiality on something.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in usage. The word is very rare in both variants.

Connotations

Typically carries a slightly negative or critical connotation in both varieties, implying undesirable interference with nature or authenticity.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in both, more likely encountered in academic or critical discourse than in general use.

Grammar

How to Use “artificialize” in a Sentence

[Subject] + artificialize + [Object] (transitive)

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
to artificialize the environmentattempts to artificialize
medium
process of artificializingtendency to artificializeartificialize nature
weak
completely artificializegradually artificializeartificialize food

Examples

Examples of “artificialize” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • Modern farming can artificialize the landscape, replacing hedgerows with fences.
  • Critics argue the plan will artificialise the historic town centre.

American English

  • Some fear we will artificialize the entire food supply chain.
  • The developer's proposal would artificialize the naturally occurring wetlands.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare. Potentially in critiques of overly processed products: 'The marketing push was to artificialize the brand experience, losing its grassroots appeal.'

Academic

Found in environmental science, sociology, or philosophy discussing human impact: 'Postmodern culture seeks to artificialize even the most basic human interactions.'

Everyday

Virtually never used in casual conversation.

Technical

Used in specific fields like agriculture or environmental engineering: 'The project's aim was not to completely artificialize the riverbank but to reinforce it.'

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “artificialize”

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “artificialize”

naturalizepreservemaintain authenticity

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “artificialize”

  • Confusing with 'artifice' (trickery). Incorrectly using as an adjective ('an artificialized product' is possible but very rare; 'artificial product' is standard).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is a very low-frequency, formal word. More common alternatives are 'make artificial' or 'synthesize'.

Rarely. It typically implies a negative transformation away from a natural or authentic state, though in technical contexts it can be neutral.

The related noun is 'artificialization' (also very rare).

Yes. 'Automate' refers to making a process run by machines/computers. 'Artificialize' refers to making something unnatural or synthetic in character; automation can be one way to artificialize something.

To make something artificial.

Artificialize is usually formal / technical in register.

Artificialize: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɑː.tɪˈfɪʃ.əl.aɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑːr.t̬əˈfɪʃ.əl.aɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'ARTIFICIAL' + 'IZE' – to turn something into an artificial version of itself.

Conceptual Metaphor

NATURAL IS AUTHENTIC, ARTIFICIAL IS FAKE; Human intervention is a process of artificialization.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The company's decision to use only synthetic materials served to the product entirely.
Multiple Choice

In which context is the verb 'artificialize' most appropriately used?