sexualizing
Adding erotic charge
Sexualizing is treating something or someone in sexual terms, often when sex isn't inherently relevant.
The word usually carries critical connotations—that the sexual framing is inappropriate or reductive: The media keeps sexualizing female athletes.
To sexualize children's clothing or behavior is to impose adult sexual meaning onto childhood.
The noun is sexualization.
Reducing humans to things
- hypersexualizationExcessive emphasis on sexuality
- fetishizationIrrational reverence for something
- commodificationTransforming into sellable goods
- male gazeSexualized viewing of women
exploitation · degradation · leering · ogling · catcalling · dehumanization · misogyny · sexism
Stirring to heightened state
- desireIntense wanting
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- titillationPleasurable, teasing excitement
- sensualityPursuit of physical pleasure
intimacy · passion · lustfulness · carnality · libido · provocative · suggestive · allure
Cultural or social prohibition
- forbiddenNot allowed
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
- indecentOffensive to accepted standards
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
obscene · lewd · vulgar · explicit · provocative · shameful · stigmatized · censored
objectification
Reducing humans to things
- hypersexualizationExcessive emphasis on sexuality
- fetishizationIrrational reverence for something
- commodificationTransforming into sellable goods
male gaze · exploitation · degradation · leering · ogling · catcalling · dehumanization · misogyny · sexism · voyeurism
arousal
Stirring to heightened state
- desireIntense wanting
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- titillationPleasurable, teasing excitement
sensuality · intimacy · passion · lustfulness · carnality · libido · provocative · suggestive · allure · flirtation
taboo
Cultural or social prohibition
- forbiddenNot allowed
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
- indecentOffensive to accepted standards
scandalous · obscene · lewd · vulgar · explicit · provocative · shameful · stigmatized · censored · banned
sexualizingsanitizing
Eliminating harmful microorganisms
purifying · neutralizing · defusing · neutering · bowdlerizing
sexualizingrespecting
About; on the topic
dignifying · humanizing · honoring · valuing · protecting
sexualizingbowdlerizing
Removing offensive passages
censoring · cleaning up · toning down · moderating · expurgating
sexual, pansexual, sexuality, bisexual, homosexual, asexual, sexually, heterosexual, sexualize