cretinize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “cretinize” mean?
To make someone stupid, ignorant, or mentally deficient.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make someone stupid, ignorant, or mentally deficient.
To cause intellectual or moral degradation; to deprive of critical thinking or mental vitality through deprivation, oppressive conditions, or stultifying influence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or syntactic differences. The word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly pejorative and archaic in both. In British English, it may retain a slightly more historical/literary feel. In American English, it is more likely to be used in sociological or political critique.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. More likely encountered in academic, polemical, or satirical writing than in speech.
Grammar
How to Use “cretinize” in a Sentence
NP1 (Agent) cretinizes NP2 (Patient)NP1 (Cause) cretinizes NP2 (Patient)Passive: NP2 is cretinized by NP1Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cretinize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The author argued that relentless tabloid journalism could cretinize public discourse.
- He feared the education system was being designed not to enlighten but to cretinize.
American English
- The regime used state-controlled media to cretinize the populace.
- Critics claimed the show's formula was meant to cretinize its audience for higher ratings.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form. One could construct 'cretinizingly' (e.g., 'a cretinizingly dull curriculum'), but it is highly non-standard.
American English
- No standard adverbial form. One could construct 'cretinizingly' (e.g., 'a cretinizingly simplistic narrative'), but it is highly non-standard.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival form derived directly from 'cretinize'. Use 'cretinous' (e.g., 'a cretinous policy').
American English
- No standard adjectival form derived directly from 'cretinize'. Use 'cretinous' (e.g., 'a cretinous proposal').
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Unprofessional and offensive.
Academic
Used in critical theory, sociology, media studies, or history to describe oppressive systems that reduce intellectual capacity (e.g., 'propaganda designed to cretinize the masses').
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be considered highly offensive and archaic.
Technical
Not used in its original medical sense. Confined to figurative use in humanities.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cretinize”
- Using it in a medical context. Confusing it with 'cretinism'. Using it as a synonym for simple 'criticize' (false friend with 'criticize'). Overusing due to its strong pejorative force.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it derives from 'cretin' (an outdated term for congenital hypothyroidism), 'cretinize' is almost exclusively used in a figurative, pejorative sense to mean 'make stupid or intellectually degraded'.
Absolutely not. It is far too offensive, archaic, and literary. Using it would be highly unprofessional.
The process or result can be called 'cretinization' (e.g., 'the cretinization of public debate'), though this is also very rare and formal.
They are completely different. 'Criticize' means to judge or find fault. 'Cretinize' is a false friend; it means to make someone stupid. Confusing them would be a serious error.
To make someone stupid, ignorant, or mentally deficient.
Cretinize is usually formal, literary, pejorative in register.
Cretinize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkriːtɪnaɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkriːtənaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms directly using 'cretinize'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The CRITICAL mind is targeted to be turned into a CRETIN.'
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE MINDS / MENTAL DETERIORATION IS A PROCESS OF BECOMING AN INFERIOR BEING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST accurate synonym for 'cretinize'?