stylize

verb

styl·​ize ˈstī(-ə)-ˌlīz How to pronounce stylize (audio)
stylized; stylizing

transitive verb

: to conform to a conventional style
specifically : to represent or design according to a style or stylistic pattern rather than according to nature or tradition
stylization
ˌstī-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce stylize (audio)
noun

Examples of stylize in a Sentence

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 director famously walked out of Oliver Stone’s 1994 film Natural Born Killers, which was heavily rewritten and aggressively stylized. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 It’s highly stylized, with metatheatrical trappings and very intense, complicated design. — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 In the Archaic period, long hair was considered fashionable, while later, in the Classical period, shorter, stylized hair became the trend. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 For much of history, only notable figures were expected to have stylized signatures, Thornton said. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stylize

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stylize was in 1898

Rhymes for stylize

See All Rhymes for stylize

Browse Nearby Words

stylization
stylize
stylobate
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Cite this Entry

“Stylize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stylize. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stylize

verb
styl·​ize ˈstī(ə)l-ˌīz How to pronounce stylize (audio)
stylized; stylizing
: to represent or design according to a style or pattern rather than according to nature or tradition
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