What does sovietize mean?
Sovietize means to bring something under Soviet control or to make it reflect Soviet political and ideological principles. It is most often used historically for the political restructuring of countries and institutions after the Russian Revolution or during the period of Soviet influence, although it can also describe the spread of Soviet-style organization or economic systems. The verb is especially associated with state control, central planning, one-party government, and the imposition of Soviet political practices. In contemporary writing, its use often signals a critical perspective or a deliberate historical reference rather than neutral policy language. Its associated forms include the past tense sovietized, the present participle sovietizing, and the noun sovietization. Because the word carries strong historical and ideological associations, it is more common in political history, international relations, and analytical commentary than in everyday speech.
verbTo bring a country, government, or institution under Soviet control or influence, or to make it conform to Soviet political principles and practices.
- Bring a country, government, or institution under Soviet control or influence.
- Make an institution, economy, or practice conform to Soviet political or ideological principles.
"The new regime attempted to sovietize the country's education system."
"After the revolution, the authorities sought to sovietize the military."
"Critics argued that the policy would effectively sovietize the country's agricultural economy."
"The commission recommended sovietizing the organization without changing its name."
Sovietize is a political verb with a clear historical direction: it describes making a country or institution Soviet in character or control.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sovietize come from?
The word is derived from Soviet, the English name for the Soviet Union and for the political system associated with it. The suffix -ize was added to express the action of making something Soviet or bringing it under Soviet control. The form spread in political writing during the twentieth century as Soviet influence expanded beyond the USSR itself. Its relatives include Soviet, Sovietism, Sovietist, and the broader historical term soviet, referring to a council or council-based organization.
Related word forms
How sovietize is actually used
The term is chiefly historical and political. It can be used descriptively for the imposition of Soviet control or ideology, but it may carry a strongly critical or evaluative connotation depending on context and speaker.
Easily confused with sovietize
Sovietize is the standard US spelling, while Sovietise is the standard British spelling of the same verb.