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Westernization

Westernization

1 7.2
A change when people or places start to use Western ways and ideas
  • noun
  • /ˌwɛstərnaɪˈzeɪʃən/
translation icon : occidentalización
  • Many countries have experienced a rapid process of westernization, adopting Western customs and practices.
  • Westernization and modernization
  • Westernization process
  • wholesale Westernization

These sorts of things are part of Westernization, part of, you could say, a broader Western culture.

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Examples

  • The main drive for Ataturk was the westernization of the newly established Turkey.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Dissidents openly asked for westernization and complained about the lack of democratic elements in the country.

    Academic text (1992)
  • These sorts of things are part of Westernization, part of, you could say, a broader Western culture.

  • Second, since the 18th century, the process of Westernization has left its imprint on the national security culture.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In light of the pervasive influence of the media and growing Westernization, we need to celebrate Namibian cultural identity.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The Chinese, in turn, must finally understand that modernization inevitably involves Westernization and global interdependence.

    Academic text (1991)
  • During the single-party period from 1923 to 1945, the extent and pace of Westernization dominated the political agenda.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Yukichi Fukuzawa, the foremost champion of Westernization, expressed his fear of Western imperialism in his writings.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The westernization of Japan in the late 19th century transformed its society and culture significantly.

  • The book examines the effects of westernization on the traditional values of indigenous populations.

Synonyms

Americanization
vsWesternization
3 7.1

A process in which people take on American customs and ways of life

is broader, covering adoption from any Western country rather than one nation
acculturation
vsWesternization
  • Specialized
2 8.2

Adopting the customs and daily life of another culture

is focused specifically on adopting traits from Western countries rather than any group
Europeanization
vsWesternization
1 8.6

Becoming more like the countries in Europe in culture and daily life

is the wider process of taking on Western cultural, political, or technological norms
Westernism
vsWesternization
7.4

Influence from Western countries on people's customs and daily life

is the active process of adopting those cultures rather than just the idea

Surface Forms

Morphology

Westernization = westernize (transparent) = west + ern + ize + ation

A regular nominalization of the verb 'westernize' with '-ation'; the process meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Westernization comes from Western meaning 'from the west' and the ending -ization, which comes from -ize and means 'the process of making'. So, Westernization is the process of becoming more like Western countries in everyday life, government, or technology.