desocialize

English

Etymology

de- +‎ socialize

Verb

desocialize (third-person singular simple present desocializes, present participle desocializing, simple past and past participle desocialized)

1. (transitive) To take out of a social context; individualize.
   • 2008, Jonathan Alexander, Literacy, Sexuality, Pedagogy: Theory and Practice for Composition Studies:

     As we desocialize sex and sexuality as purely personal aspects of existence, we begin to see how sexuality is tied to a number of norms...

2. (transitive) To cause to withdraw from society.
   • 2004, Arden et al, The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care

     By twelve weeks puppies enter the juvenile stage, and it is at this stage that a negative experience can desocialize the pup.

3. (transitive) To cause to cease to be politically socialist.
   • 1975, A P J Van Rensburg, Contemporary Leaders of Africa:

     It was a painful process to desocialize and rehabilitate the Malian economy.