1. to cause someone to become a cretin; to reduce to a state of cretinism or severe intellectual disability
Usage: British spelling (American: cretinizes); third person singular present tense; medical/archaic; offensive when applied to people; now considered outdated terminology
2. to make someone appear foolish or stupid
Usage: informal; derogatory

Examples

• Severe iodine deficiency can cretinises populations in regions without adequate nutrition.
• The constant misinformation cretinises the public discourse.
• Prolonged isolation cretinises critical thinking skills.
• Some argue that excessive screen time cretinises young minds.
• The propaganda campaign cretinises its audience through repetitive messaging.