fictionalize

verb

fic·​tion·​al·​ize ˈfik-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlīz 

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 

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

So characters and band names are fictionalized, though fans with deep knowledge of the scene will spot Easter eggs in the words, art and music of the project. — Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 23 July 2026

In 2009’s Sag Harbor, Whitehead fictionalized his happy but precarious summers in a Black middle-class enclave on Eastern Long Island. — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Working for the New Deal-era Farm Security Administration, photographer Dorothea Lange documented the same Oakies fictionalized by Steinbeck. — Daniel Milowski, The Conversation, 29 June 2026

As media recorded, fictionalized, and reworked Rollerena, her public life circulated well beyond the city. — Emilie Hardman, JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

fictional + -ize

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fictionalize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

fictionalize

verb

fic·​tion·​al·​ize ˈfik-shnə-līz 

-shən-ᵊl-īz

fictionalized; fictionalizing

: to make into fiction

fictionalize a biography

fictionalization

ˌfik-shnə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-shən-ᵊl-ə-

noun