radicalise
verb C2
Plain meaning
to make someone adopt extreme political or social views
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe to make someone adopt extreme political or social views, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalThe team tried to radicalise the problem before it became serious.
examThe report argues that institutions should radicalise ineffective practices through evidence-based reform.
Common collocations
radicalise a proposalradicalise the issueradicalise in practice
Watch out
Do not use “radicalise” with every object. Check the object that follows it and avoid using it when a simpler verb is more natural.
Word family
radicalisation (noun)radical (adjective/noun)