fictionalize

verb

fic·​tion·​al·​ize ˈfik-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce fictionalize (audio)
fictionalized; fictionalizing

transitive verb

: to make into or treat in the manner of fiction
fictionalize a biography
fictionalization
ˌfik-sh(ə-)nə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce fictionalize (audio)
noun

Examples of fictionalize in a Sentence

The book is a fictionalized account of their travels. Her books are based in fact, but she fictionalizes many of the events.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The case was later fictionalized in a series of true-crime books and movies. — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2026 Instead, the judge found that the state essentially fictionalized a story of chaos and turmoil in the workplace as a result of the post. — Scott Maxwell, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026 The film fictionalized the Rockford Peaches’ story—but the league itself had already done the unbelievable. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 As media recorded, fictionalized, and reworked Rollerena, her public life circulated well beyond the city. — Emilie Hardman, JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fictionalize

Word History

Etymology

fictional + -ize

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fictionalize was in 1918

Rhymes for fictionalize

See All Rhymes for fictionalize

Browse Nearby Words

fictionalization
fictionalize
fictionalized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fictionalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fictionalize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

fictionalize

verb
fic·​tion·​al·​ize ˈfik-shnə-līz How to pronounce fictionalize (audio)
-shən-ᵊl-īz
fictionalized; fictionalizing
: to make into fiction
fictionalize a biography
fictionalization
ˌfik-shnə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce fictionalize (audio)
-shən-ᵊl-ə-
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All