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 use
'benutzen' and 'instrumentalisieren' can both be negative when someone uses a person only for their own goals. 'benutzen' is simpler and more general. It can also be neutral, but with people it often sounds unfair. 'instrumentalisieren' is more precise and usually more formal: it emphasizes that someone deliberately uses people, feelings, or an issue as a means to an end, often in a manipulative way. In everyday language, people are more likely to say 'jemanden benutzen' (to use someone). In politics, the media, or work contexts, 'instrumentalisieren' is often a better fit.
Ich finde es falsch, wenn man die Angst der Mitarbeiter für eigene Ziele instrumentalisiert.
I think it is wrong to instrumentalize employees' fear for one's own goals.
Frau Meier hat gemerkt, dass ihr Kollege sie nur benutzt hat.
Ms. Meier realized that her colleague had only used her.