1. to make or treat as relative rather than absolute; to view in relation to something else
Usage: formal; academic
2. to reduce the importance or significance of something by comparing it to other things
Usage: formal

Examples

• The historian tried to relativize the event by placing it in its proper historical context.
• We need to relativize our problems and remember that others face greater challenges.
• The philosopher argued that we should relativize moral judgments based on cultural differences.
• Don’t relativize the importance of this discovery just because similar ones exist.
• The teacher helped students relativize their test scores by explaining the grading curve.
• Critics accused him of trying to relativize serious ethical violations.