fic·tion·al·ize
ˈfik-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlīz 
fictionalized; fictionalizing
: to make into or treat in the manner of fiction
fictionalize a biography
fic·tion·al·iza·tion
ˌfikshənᵊlə̇ˈzāshən
-shnələ̇ˈ-,
-ᵊlˌīˈz-,
-əˌlīˈz-
variants
or fictionization
ˌfiksh(ə)nə̇ˈz-
-shəˌnīˈz-
plural -s
: an act, process, or product of fictionalizing
especially
: a fictionalized version (as of a summer vacation)
Examples of fictionalize in a Sentence
Verb
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
Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 June 2026
Stifel felt that the story that most interested him — what was going through these peoples’ minds, including the killers — could only be fictionalized since there’s no documentation of what exactly went on in the bakery that led to the killings.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
Instead, the judge found that the state essentially fictionalized a story of chaos and turmoil in the workplace as a result of the post.
—Scott Maxwell, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
The film fictionalized the Rockford Peaches’ story—but the league itself had already done the unbelievable.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fictionalize
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Verb
Now the story of the cult is fictionalized in The Leader, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, June 5.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 June 2026
Stifel felt that the story that most interested him — what was going through these peoples’ minds, including the killers — could only be fictionalized since there’s no documentation of what exactly went on in the bakery that led to the killings.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
Instead, the judge found that the state essentially fictionalized a story of chaos and turmoil in the workplace as a result of the post.
—Scott Maxwell, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
The film fictionalized the Rockford Peaches’ story—but the league itself had already done the unbelievable.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fictionalize
Cite this Entry
“Fictionalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fictionalize. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fictionalize
verb
fic·tion·al·ize
ˈfik-shnə-līz
-shən-ᵊl-īz
fictionalized; fictionalizing
: to make into fiction
fictionalize a biography
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