defamiliarize

verb

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de·fa·mil·iar·ize | \ (ˌ)dē-fə-ˈmil-yə-ˌrīz

defamiliarized; defamiliarizing; defamiliarizes

Definition of defamiliarize

transitive verb

: to present or render in an unfamiliar artistic form usually to stimulate fresh perception

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Examples of defamiliarize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And these fragments, when examined closely, defamiliarize ordinary consensus reality in a manner different from that of hypnagogia. — Michael W. Clune, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Mar. 2022 The newness of the technology alters each new disaster just enough to defamiliarize the situation and to allow people to forget striking similarities with the past. — Mar Hicks, Wired, 14 Oct. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defamiliarize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.