1. enclosing words, phrases, or clauses within parentheses
Usage: present participle of parenthesize; common in writing and grammar contexts
2. treating something as secondary or supplementary; setting apart as less important
Usage: figurative use; less common than the literal sense

Examples

• The editor is parenthesizing the author's additional comments throughout the manuscript.
• When writing formal essays, avoid parenthesizing too many thoughts—it can make your writing unclear.
• The software automatically detects and parenthesizes supplementary information in the text.
• By parenthesizing the historical context, the writer kept the main narrative focused.
• She was parenthesizing her own doubts rather than addressing them directly in the argument.
• The grammar guide explains the rules for parenthesizing dates and citations.