banalize

transitive verb

ba·​nal·​ize
variants also British banalise
bə-ˈna-ˌlīz How to pronounce banalize (audio)
ba-
-ˈnä-;
bā-ˈna-;
ˈbā-nᵊl-ˌīz
-ed/-ing/-s
: to make banal
banalized the art … by mass-producing a few popular designsBernard Leach
banalization noun
also British banalisation
bə-ˈna-lə-ˌzā-shən
-ˌlī-
ba-
-ˈnä-;
bā-ˈna-;
ˈbā-nᵊl-ə-ˌzā-
-ˌī-ˌzā-
"Everyone knows" is the invocation of the cliché and the beginning of the banalization of experience … Philip Roth, The Human Stain, 2001
… the banalization of life through modern consumerism … . Francis Fukuyama, The End of History and the Last Man, 1992

Word History

Etymology

banal entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of banalize was in 1903

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Banalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banalize. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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