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

Yes, in addition to Monster, Brudos was also fictionalized in the 2017 crime drama Mindhunter. —Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025

So his kidnap and torture of Hartley in Monster is entirely fictionalized. —Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025

Gein was friendly with a woman named Adeline Watkins for a short time, but her role in the TV show is greatly exaggerated and mostly outright fictionalized. —Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025

Alfonso Cuarón’s Disclaimer follows a famed documentary journalist, who learns a dark secret of her own is being fictionalized in a novel. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2025

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