Definition

Verb: To separate something into distinct, isolated sections, categories, or mental compartments. It involves dividing a complex whole into parts that are treated as independent and non-interacting.

Usage

The verb "compartmentalise" (also spelled "compartmentalize") describes the mental or practical act of keeping different areas of one's life, thoughts, or responsibilities separate from each other. It is often used in psychology, management, and everyday contexts to describe a strategy for managing complexity or conflict.

Examples

• She compartmentalises her work stress so it doesn't affect her home life.
• The report compartmentalises the data into three main categories for clarity.
• He has a remarkable ability to compartmentalise his emotions during a crisis.

Advanced Usage

• Compartmentalised thinking: A cognitive approach where ideas or beliefs are kept in separate mental boxes, preventing their integration. This can sometimes lead to contradictions.
  • His compartmentalised thinking allowed him to hold conflicting political views without discomfort.
• To compartmentalise something away: To consciously isolate and set aside a troubling thought or memory.
  • After the argument, she compartmentalised her anger away to focus on the task at hand.

Variants and Related Words

• Compartmentalisation (noun): The act or process of compartmentalising.
  • The compartmentalisation of departments hindered communication.
• Compartment (noun): One of the separate sections into which an area is divided.
  • The seed box had several small compartments.
• Compartmentalised (adjective): Describing something that has been divided into compartments.
  • The ship had a compartmentalised hull to prevent sinking.

Synonyms

• Categorise: To place in a particular class or group.
• Segregate: To set apart from others or from a main body.
• Separate: To keep apart or divide.
• Partition: To divide into parts or sections.

Antonyms

• Integrate: To combine one thing with another to form a whole.
• Unify: To make or become a single unit.
• Merge: To blend or combine together.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To put/keep something in a box: (Informal) Similar to compartmentalise, meaning to isolate a subject or emotion.
  • He keeps his personal problems in a box when he's at the office.
• To wall something off: To mentally or emotionally isolate something.
  • She had walled off the memory of the accident.

Verb

1. separate into isolated compartments or categories
   • You cannot compartmentalize your life like this!