defamiliarize

verb

de·​fa·​mil·​iar·​ize (ˌ)dē-fə-ˈmil-yə-ˌrīz How to pronounce defamiliarize (audio)
defamiliarized; defamiliarizing; defamiliarizes

transitive verb

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

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 examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defamiliarize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defamiliarize was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near defamiliarize

Cite this Entry

“Defamiliarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defamiliarize. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

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