recategorize
verb
re·cat·e·go·rize
(ˌ)rē-ˈka-ti-gə-ˌrīz 
recategorized; recategorizing; recategorizes
: to put into a different category : reclassify
recategorized the drug as a controlled substance
Neptune is the eighth and furthest planet from the Sun, since Pluto was recategorized as a dwarf planet.—
James L. Chen
James L. Chen
recategorization
noun
plural recategorizations
Nye supported the recategorization of Pluto by the International Astronomical Union. Its makeup more closely matches a comet, he said.
—Mark Bennett
Mark Bennett
Examples of recategorize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dozens of asylum cases filed by Somali migrants in immigration courts were suddenly rescheduled and recategorized over the weekend, according to four lawyers interviewed by NPR.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
This approach could help children learn how to recategorize misplaced fear as a manageable emotion by approaching it piece by piece.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025
In 2000, it was identified as Rhabdophis nuchalis and a year later, recategorized again as Rhabdophis guangdongensis, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
From ‘impact’ to ‘culture’ to ’retention’ and ‘wellbeing’ - the titles of chief diversity officers, and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officers are now being recategorized at an alarming rate with new words, acronyms and language.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The proposal would follow a Department of Justice recommendation and lead the DEA to take public comments on a plan to recategorize marijuana.
—Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
When mistakes are low-consequence, smart leaders recategorize errors as learning opportunities, evolutionary misguidance and situational myopia rather than doling out errors with penalties and professional purgatory.
—Nuala Walsh, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2021
The reintroduced bill would recategorize cranial prosthetics as durable medical equipment covered under the Social Security Act.
—Essence, 6 Oct. 2021
In California, lawmakers passed legislation requiring ride-hailing giants to recategorize drivers as employees and not contractors (which Uber and Lyft fought with a ballot initiative that was overturned last month).
—Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 16 Sep. 2021
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Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
This approach could help children learn how to recategorize misplaced fear as a manageable emotion by approaching it piece by piece.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025
In 2000, it was identified as Rhabdophis nuchalis and a year later, recategorized again as Rhabdophis guangdongensis, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
From ‘impact’ to ‘culture’ to ’retention’ and ‘wellbeing’ - the titles of chief diversity officers, and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officers are now being recategorized at an alarming rate with new words, acronyms and language.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The proposal would follow a Department of Justice recommendation and lead the DEA to take public comments on a plan to recategorize marijuana.
—Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
When mistakes are low-consequence, smart leaders recategorize errors as learning opportunities, evolutionary misguidance and situational myopia rather than doling out errors with penalties and professional purgatory.
—Nuala Walsh, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2021
The reintroduced bill would recategorize cranial prosthetics as durable medical equipment covered under the Social Security Act.
—Essence, 6 Oct. 2021
In California, lawmakers passed legislation requiring ride-hailing giants to recategorize drivers as employees and not contractors (which Uber and Lyft fought with a ballot initiative that was overturned last month).
—Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 16 Sep. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Recategorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recategorize. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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