Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - sexualize

(sexualizes, sexualizing, sexualized) Note: in BRIT, also use 'sexualise' To sexualize something or someone means to make them sexual or consider them in a sexual way. Referring to children’s friends as girlfriends and boyfriends sexualizes them... Rape is sexualised violence. VERB: V n, V-ed