Standard Lemma guide

infantilization

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The act or process of infantilizing, treating a non-infant as an infant, or more generally treating an adult like a young child.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • Nursing homes lead to an infantilization of the elderly.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: adultification

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English infantile Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English infantilize Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English infantilization From infantilize + -ation.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: infantilització — Translations
  • French: infantilisation — Translations
  • Galician: infantilización — Translations
  • German: Infantilisierung — Translations
  • German: Verkindlichung — Translations
  • German: Bevormundung — Translations
  • Italian: infantilizzazione — Translations
  • Polish: infantylizacja — Translations
  • Portuguese: infantilização — Translations
  • Spanish: infantilización — Translations