popularize

1 of 2

verb

popularized; popularizing
Synonyms of popularizenext

intransitive verb

: to cater to popular taste

transitive verb

: to make popular: such as
a
: to cause to be liked or esteemed
a sitcom that popularized the phrase
b
: to present in generally understandable or interesting form
a popularized version of American history

popularization

2 of 2

noun

pop·​u·​lar·​iza·​tion
variants also British popularisation
ˌ⸗⸗lərə̇ˈzāshən
-ˌrīˈ-
plural -s
1
: an act of popularizing or the state of being popularized
with the popularization of the buggy … a demand rose for light harnessV. S. Clark
2
: something that is popularized
especially : a publication in terms comprehensible to the average man
divides the true folk tale from the popularization and that in turn from the work of art Yale Review

Examples of popularize in a Sentence

Verb a phrase that was popularized by its use in a hit TV show Dream analysis was popularized by Sigmund Freud. The book presents a popularized version of American history.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
With her ends flipped and her top layers curled and hairsprayed in place, the aesthetic harked back to the poodle bob trend popularized in the 1940s. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 June 2026 In 1952, Marilyn Monroe first wore jeans onscreen, helping popularize them for American women. Faran Krentcil, InStyle, 1 July 2026 The former is a structured trapezoidal purse that was renamed the Kelly bag in 1977, after American actress Grace Kelly, who popularized the item. Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026 Macchio’s other song picks all have references to religion or deities, whereas the Cohen song is entirely secular in nature, despite the connotations that have been placed on it by some performers as it has become popularized in recent years. Chris Willman, Variety, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for popularize

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably borrowed from French populariser "to present in a favorable light, make popular," from populaire popular + -iser -ize

First Known Use

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of popularize was in 1593

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Cite this Entry

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

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