to instrumentalize
1
8.5
- verb
- /ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəlaɪz/
- Formal
:
instrumentalizar
- The charity aimed to improve lives, but some critics argued they instrumentalized vulnerable communities for their own gain.
- instrumentalized body
- become instrumentalized
And, you know, people are instrumentalizing it, but the theory of it is, from Hume's perspective, kind of hinky.
- And, you know, people are instrumentalizing it, but the theory of it is, from Hume's perspective, kind of hinky.
- And hijra did not ask to be kind of instrumentalized for the cause of proving the validity of white people's genders.
- protests, riots, what they called smart mobs in Cuba on the basis of of US social media that they could instrumentalize.
Examples
-
While advocacy groups still have a place at the table, they are no longer able to instrumentalize the federal judiciary as an agenda-setting institution.
Academic text (2002) -
When taking the aforementioned context into account, however, it becomes clear that Tahrir Square was instrumentalized to pursue and legitimize the actions of state authorities (army, police) that were uncomfortable with the political state of affairs.
Academic text (2018) -
But they instrumentalize this insight for opposite purposes.
Academic text (2018) -
Yeah, I mean, we saw it before the midterms, right, being instrumentalized by Trump.
-
In fact, both groups instrumentalized psychoanalysis, each in its own way.
Academic text (1990) -
In other words, you are an end and not a means to me, unless in fact I'm exploiting you and instrumentalizing you, right?
-
The rallies are controversial, particularly for the way in which Iran has instrumentalized them.
Blog text (23) -
Put differently, listeners' rights are instrumentalized, or used as a means to an end of satisfying corporate speech rights.
Academic text (2017) -
According to Ling, each former director had a particular ideological focus that shaped its agenda and function, whereas at present, it has become instrumentalized by the drive for funding.
Academic text (2016) -
Similarly, collectivism compromises the dignity of human beings by tending to instrumentalize and subordinate their well-being to the interests of larger social units.
Academic text (2008)
Synonyms
∞
6.3
To treat someone only as a way to get what you want
214
5.6
To use someone or something in an unfair way to get an advantage
30
7.5
To treat someone as a thing, ignoring their feelings and rights
To treat people as things and ignore their feelings
Antonyms
How Instrumental
214
5.6
- Offensive
30
7.5
- Formal
1
8.5
203
2.2
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
instrumentalize = instrumental (transparent) = instrument + al + ize
The formation is regular (instrument → instrumental → -ize) and yields the meaning 'make into a means' or 'use as a tool', which is a transparent abstract extension.
Etymology
Instrumentalize comes from the word instrument, which means a 'tool'. A helpful way to remember this is the phrase 'be instrumental in something'—it means to be used to make it happen. So to instrumentalize a person or thing is to use them as a 'tool' to reach a goal, often without regard for their own value.