internalize

/ɪnˌtʌrnlˈaɪz/

/ɪnˈtʌnəlaɪz/

Other forms: internalized; internalizing; internalizes

If you feel anger, pain, fear or hurt but never show it, you internalize it — you keep it inside.

If you think about the prefix inter- which always indicated something within, you have the meaning of the adjective internalize, "to keep or take something in." It can be used in either a positive or negative way. If you are a debater who internalizes a topic, then you know it inside and out. On the other hand, you're not doing yourself any favors if you internalize your guilt.

Definitions of internalize

1. verb

   incorporate within oneself; make subjective or personal
   “internalize a belief”

   synonyms: interiorise, interiorize, internalise

   type of:

   ascribe, assign, attribute, impute

   attribute or credit to