mohammedanize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Archaic / Very LowHistorical, Academic (in critiques of historical texts), Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “mohammedanize” mean?
To convert to or cause to conform with Islam, particularly with an archaic or outsider emphasis.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To convert to or cause to conform with Islam, particularly with an archaic or outsider emphasis.
Historically, to bring under the influence of or to adopt the customs, culture, or religious practices associated with Islam, often used in colonial or Orientalist contexts. Now considered dated and potentially offensive due to its outsider-created nature, misrepresenting the self-identity of Muslims.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is equally archaic and problematic in both varieties. May appear slightly more frequently in older British texts due to colonial history.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of Orientalism, colonialism, and religious/cultural imposition. It is non-self-referential (i.e., not used by the group it describes).
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary language. Found almost exclusively in historical texts or in meta-discussion about the history of terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “mohammedanize” in a Sentence
[Subject: authority/force] Mohammedanize [Object: people/region]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mohammedanize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 19th-century explorers wrote of their fears that local tribes would be Mohammedanized by traders from the north.
- The colonial administration discussed policies to prevent the region from being Mohammedanized.
American English
- The historical account erroneously claimed the sultan sought to Mohammedanize the entire peninsula through conquest.
- Scholars now critique the term 'Mohammedanize' as a product of Orientalist thought.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only used historically or in critical analysis of historical/colonial discourse.
Everyday
Not used; would be considered incorrect and offensive.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mohammedanize”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mohammedanize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mohammedanize”
- Using it as a synonym for 'Islamize' without recognising its offensive and archaic baggage.
- Using it to describe the actions or beliefs of Muslims themselves.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Mohammedanize' is an archaic term based on the incorrect name 'Mohammedan' for Muslim. It carries colonial and Orientalist connotations and is considered offensive. 'Islamize' is the standard, neutral term.
It is offensive because it misnames the religion (implying worship of Prophet Muhammad rather than God/Allah) and represents an external, often imperial, viewpoint defining the faith and practices of others. Muslims do not use this term for themselves.
You would only encounter it in historical texts, travelogues, or colonial documents from the 18th-early 20th centuries, or in modern scholarly works critically analysing the language of that era.
Use 'convert to Islam', 'become Muslim', or the verb 'Islamize'. For example, 'The community gradually Islamized' is correct, whereas 'The community was Mohammedanized' is historically loaded and incorrect.
To convert to or cause to conform with Islam, particularly with an archaic or outsider emphasis.
Mohammedanize is usually historical, academic (in critiques of historical texts), pejorative in register.
Mohammedanize: in British English it is pronounced /məʊˈhamɪdənʌɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /moʊˈhæmɪdənaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Mohammedan' (old, incorrect term) + '-ize' (to make into). A term 'frozen in time' from a colonial perspective.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGION/CULTURE IS A FORCE (that can be imposed upon a substrate).
Practice
Quiz
In which context might the word 'Mohammedanize' be acceptably used today?