Definitions

1. verb

to make something seem less important or relevant by comparing it to something else, or to express something in terms of its relationship to something else

“The historian tried to relativize the impact of the war, arguing that its effects were often exaggerated.”

2. verb (transitive)

to make something seem less important or relevant by comparing it to something else, or to express something in terms of its relationship to something else

“The critic relativized the artist’s intentions, pointing out that they were influenced by their cultural background.”

3. verb (intransitive)

to express something in terms of its relationship to something else

“The theory relativizes time and space, arguing that they are relative and not absolute.”

4. noun

the act or process of making something seem less important or relevant by comparing it to something else, or expressing something in terms of its relationship to something else

“The relativization of cultural values has led to a greater understanding of the diversity of human experience.”