to instrumentalize
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to instrumentalize
To misuse or use someone or something for one's own purposes, often in a manipulative way, in order to achieve a specific goal.
Die Opposition warf der Regierung vor, die Flüchtlingskrise für ihre politischen Ziele zu instrumentalisieren.
The opposition accused the government of instrumentalizing the refugee crisis for its political goals.
The word contains the stem 'Instrument' (instrument). The ending '-isieren' turns it into a verb with the meaning 'to use something as an instrument.' So it describes how something is made into a tool for a specific purpose.
Man sollte Kinder nicht für die eigenen politischen Ansichten instrumentalisieren.
Children should not be instrumentalized for one's own political views.
The typical structure is: someone (subject) instrumentalizes someone/something (accusative object) for a purpose (prepositional object with 'für').
Er hat seine Krankheit für mehr Aufmerksamkeit instrumentalisiert.
He instrumentalized his illness to get more attention.
This word belongs to elevated language and is mainly used in political, media, or sociological discussions. In normal everyday life, it is rather rare.
In der Debatte wurde kritisiert, dass historische Ereignisse instrumentalisiert werden.
In the debate, it was criticized that historical events are being instrumentalized.
to misuse / abuse
Both words can refer to the harmful use of a person or thing for one's own purposes. Missbrauchen generally characterizes the use as wrong or against the rules, while instrumentalisieren emphasizes turning someone or something into a means to achieve a particular goal.
Der Politiker instrumentalisierte das Leid der Familien, um Stimmen zu gewinnen.
The politician exploited the families' suffering to win votes.
Der Politiker missbrauchte sein Amt, um private Vorteile zu bekommen.
The politician abused his office to obtain personal benefits.
