Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

balkanize

/ˈbɔːl.kə.naɪz/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.21 in modern English

Syllables: balka-nize
IPA: /ˈbɔːl.kə.naɪz/

24

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To break up into small, mutually-hostile units, especially on a political basis.

Transitive verb

verb

Alternative letter-case form of Balkanize.

Example Sentences

"The Pentagon and the CIA were being Balkanized, partially dismantled, and a Congressional investigation had focused on Screaming Fist."
"And while political analysts and government officials in the region say the spreading Sunni disillusionment with Shiites and their backers in Iran will benefit Sunni-led governments and the United States, they and others worry that the tensions could start to balkanize the region as they have in Iraq itself."

Etymology

Etymology tree English Balkan Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English Balkanize From Balkan + -ize.

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ˈbɔːl.kə.naɪz/

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

Balkanizes (present, singular) Balkanizing (participle, present) Balkanized (participle, past) Balkanized (past) Balkanise (alternative)

Derived Forms

balkanizer

Frequently Paired Words

Balkan Balkans Balkanization Balkanisation

Synonyms

balkanise

Questions

How do you pronounce balkanize?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbɔːl.kə.naɪz/.
What does balkanize mean?: To break up into small, mutually-hostile units, especially on a political basis.
Where does balkanize come from?: Etymology tree English Balkan Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English Balkanize From Balkan + -ize.

How to pronounce balkanize

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