Academize is a verb commonly used to describe the process of making something more academic, often by adding complexity and rigor. If you're looking for synonyms for this word, you might consider: intellectualize, academicize, formalize, sophisticated, or professionalize. These words all convey the idea of adding a more scholarly or academic tone to something. Other options might include using words like elevate, enhance, or refine to describe the process of improving the academic quality of something. Ultimately, the best word choice will depend on the specific context and the desired tone or emphasis of your writing.