problematize
/ˈprɒb.lə.maɪz/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To treat something as a problem, or to present it as something that needs questioning, study, or change. It is often used in academic, social, and policy writing.
- The report problematizes the idea of success.
- She problematized the policy before supporting it.
- The essay problematizes simple answers.
Adinary Nuance
Problematize is more analytical than question or criticize. It does not just mean “to ask about” something; it means to show that something is complex, doubtful, or open to debate. Writers often use it in formal academic contexts where they want to challenge a simple idea rather than reject it outright.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- vấn đề hóa
- Spanish
- problematizar
- Chinese
- 问题化
- Japanese
- 問題化する
- Korean
- 문제화하다
Etymology
From French problématiser, from problème, ultimately from Greek problēma meaning 'a question' or 'something thrown forward'. It entered English through academic writing in the 20th century.
Common phrases
problematize an assumptionproblematize the issueproblematize simplistic thinkingproblematize a policy
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is problemmatize a formal word?
- Yes. Problematize is mainly used in formal, academic, and policy writing.
- What is the difference between problematize and question?
- Question means to ask about something. Problematize means to show it may be more difficult or less clear than it seems.
- Can I use problematize in everyday speech?
- You can, but it may sound formal or academic in daily conversation.
- Is problematize common in IELTS writing?
- Yes, it can work well in IELTS Academic writing when you want to sound analytical.