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v. pri·or·i·tized, pri·or·i·tiz·ing, pri·or·i·tiz·es v.tr. 1. To arrange or deal with in order of importance. 2. To treat or consider as of greater importance than other matters: economic policies that prioritize job creation. v.intr. To put things in order of importance. [PRIORIT(Y) + -IZE.] pri·or′i·ti·zation (-tĭ-zāshən) n. Usage Note: Like many verbs ending in -ize, prioritize has been tainted by association with corporate and bureaucratic jargon. Even though the word still does not sit well with some, it should be considered standard. In our 2008 survey, two-thirds of the Usage Panel accepted it in the sentence Overwhelmed with work, the lawyer was forced to prioritize his caseload. Barely half of the Panel accepted this same sentence in 1997. Acceptance may have increased not simply from familiarity but from usefulness, as there is no exact synonym. See Usage Note at finalize. |
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