conventionalize

verb

con·​ven·​tion·​al·​ize
variants also British conventionalise
kən-ˈvench-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce conventionalize (audio)
-ˈven(t)-shə-nᵊl-ˌīz
-ed/-ing/-s

transitive verb

1
: to make conventional : cause to conform to conventional rules, patterns, attitudes
conventionalized behavior
2
in art and design
a
: to treat in a conventional or nonnaturalistic manner
flowers are conventionalized to serve as a motif
b
: to establish as a readily interpreted mode of representation
an alphabet developing out of conventionalized pictographs

intransitive verb

: to follow conventional principles

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Cite this Entry

“Conventionalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conventionalize. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.

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