Definitions

1. verb

to make or declare someone a heathen; to cause someone to reject or deny established or conventional beliefs and values.

“The radical ideology sought to heathenize the young and impressionable minds in the community.”

2. verb (transitive)

to treat or regard someone as a heathen; to convert or induce someone to adopt a nonconformist or pagan way of life.

“The missionary’s efforts were aimed at heathenizing the local population with the help of modern technology.”

3. verb (intransitive)

to become or behave like a heathen; to abandon conventional or established moral and social norms.

“After spending years in the wilderness, he began to heathenize, losing all touch with modern society.”

4. noun

the process or state of heathenizing; the act of making someone a heathen or converting someone to a nonconformist or pagan way of life.

“The heathenization of the community led to widespread criticism and outrage from the authorities.”