popularize

verb

pop·​u·​lar·​ize ˈpä-pyə-lə-ˌrīz How to pronounce popularize (audio)
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
ˌpä-pyə-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce popularize (audio)
noun
popularizer
ˈpä-pyə-lə-ˌrī-zər How to pronounce popularize (audio)
noun

Examples of popularize in a Sentence

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
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 song was a frenetic evolution of Brooklyn drill—the grimy, bone-rattling subgenre of hip-hop popularized by Bobby Shmurda—and its instrumental by the British producer 808Melo gave it a brash East London bounce. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 The concept was popularized by architect and computer scientist Skylar Tibbits in 2013. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 The successful release proved that Linkin Park was here to stay, and also that the nu metal subgenre the band helped popularize at the turn of the century was not done ruling the airwaves. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 While unconventional, the gown’s shorter hemline was not unheard of in the ‘60s, with celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, Mia Farrow and Yoko Ono further popularizing the style. — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for popularize

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of popularize was in 1593

Rhymes for popularize

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Browse Nearby Words

popularization
popularize
popularly
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Cite this Entry

“Popularize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/popularize. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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