republicanize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Academic, Historical, Political
Quick answer
What does “republicanize” mean?
To make a state or system republican in form or principle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make a state or system republican in form or principle; to convert to or organize as a republic.
To bring an institution, organization, or group's policies or character into alignment with republican principles, often implying decentralization, popular sovereignty, or the elimination of monarchical elements. In U.S. politics, it can colloquially refer to influencing someone to adopt Republican Party views.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, usage is almost exclusively historical/academic, referring to political transformation (e.g., of a monarchy). In American English, it retains the historical sense but also has a modern, informal sense related to the Republican Party.
Connotations
In the UK/EU, connotations are neutral-to-positive regarding historical change, but theoretical in modern discourse. In the US, the partisan sense can be neutral, positive, or negative depending on the speaker's political stance.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects. Slightly more attestable in American English due to the informal political sense.
Grammar
How to Use “republicanize” in a Sentence
[Subject: Agent] + republicanize + [Object: Entity/State] (e.g., They sought to republicanize the constitution.)[Subject: Process/Event] + republicanize + [Object: Entity] (e.g., The revolution served to republicanize the country.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “republicanize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The revolution's aim was to completely republicanize the ancient monarchy.
- Philosophers debated how best to republicanize the governance structures.
American English
- Some activists want to republicanize the state's electoral system.
- He joked that his new neighbour was trying to republicanize the whole book club.
adverb
British English
- The government was reformed republicanizingly. (Extremely rare/constructed)
American English
- The movement proceeded republicanizingly across the states. (Extremely rare/constructed)
adjective
British English
- The republicanizing forces were met with stiff resistance. (present participle as adj.)
American English
- They discussed a republicanizing agenda for the committee. (present participle as adj.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and political philosophy texts discussing regime change or political theory.
Everyday
Virtually never used. If used, it's in informal U.S. political joking (e.g., 'Don't let him republicanize you!').
Technical
Used as a precise term in political theory to describe a specific type of institutional transformation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “republicanize”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “republicanize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “republicanize”
- Using it as a synonym for 'make more conservative.' It specifically implies republican *form* or *party affiliation*.
- Misspelling as 'republicize' (which means to publicize).
- Assuming it is a common, high-frequency word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency word used primarily in academic, historical, or specific political discourse.
Informally and humorously, yes, especially in American political conversation. However, this is not its standard or historical definition.
The related noun is 'republicanization' (the process of making something republican).
'Republicanize' specifically means to establish a republic (a state without a monarch, with representative government). 'Democratize' broadly means to introduce a democratic system, which a republic often is, but focuses on popular participation and equality. All republics are not necessarily fully democratic, and not all democracies are republics (e.g., a constitutional monarchy can be democratic).
To make a state or system republican in form or principle.
Republicanize is usually formal, academic, historical, political in register.
Republicanize: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈpʌblɪkənaɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈpʌblɪkəˌnaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A publican (an old word for a tavern keeper) wants a REPUBLIC. He tries to 'republicanize' the king's tavern.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL CHANGE IS A PROCESS OF MAKING (X into a Republic).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'republicanize' MOST likely to be used accurately?