Words of Positivity
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Valorize

v.thoughtful, hopefulformal

What it means

To recognize or increase the worth of something.

Reach for it when describing an active effort to raise the cultural or perceived value of something

The exhibition will valorize crafts long dismissed as ordinary.

Choose between these

6
  • warm

    celebrate

    open appreciation is the desired tone

    not when Celebration can be temporary and ceremonial.

  • professional

    champion

    public support advances a cause or practice

    not when Championing need not change how society values it.

  • professional

    legitimize

    acceptance as proper or credible is sought

    not when Legitimacy is not the same as positive worth.

  • formal

    elevate

    status or prominence is deliberately increased

    not when Elevation may create rank without genuine esteem.

  • formal

    revalue

    an earlier assessment needs reconsideration

    not when Revaluation can lower worth as well as raise it.

  • literary

    esteem

    respectful personal regard is central

    not when Esteem describes valuation rather than promoting it.

Said against

3
  • devalue
  • denigrate
  • dismiss

It naturally appears in

3
  • valorize care work

    The policy aims to valorize care work without romanticizing low pay.

  • valorize local knowledge

    The exhibition will valorize local knowledge through named contributors.

  • culturally valorize

    Museums can culturally valorize crafts once excluded from formal collections.

Where this comes from

Valorize is specialized language in cultural theory and economics; celebrate or value may serve a general audience better.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.