IPA: /ˈsoʊviəˌtaɪz/
KK: /ˈsoʊviəˌtaɪz/
To make something come under the control or influence of Soviet policies and practices.
The government aimed to sovietize the newly acquired territories.
Past: sovietized
Past Participle: sovietized
Sovietize → The word is formed from 'Soviet' (from Russian 'совет', meaning council or advice) and the suffix '-ize' (meaning to make or to become). The term 'sovietize' means to make something conform to the principles or practices of the Soviet system.
Think of 'Soviet' as a council or governing body, and '-ize' means to make. So, to 'sovietize' means to make something like the Soviet system.