mythologize

verb

my·​thol·​o·​gize mi-ˈthä-lə-ˌjīz 

mythologized; mythologizing

transitive verb

1

obsolete : to explain the mythological significance of

2

: to build a myth around : mythicize

intransitive verb

1

: to relate, classify, and explain myths

2

: to create or perpetuate myths

mythologizer noun

Examples of mythologize in a Sentence

a politician who has been mythologized by his supporters

Recent Examples on the Web

In both countries, Partition has been mythologized in ways that leave little space to mourn what was lost. —Sam Dalrymple, Time, 14 July 2025

Live from New York by Shales and Miller (2002) $11 $25 now 56% off The only thing more fun than watching SNL is obsessively talking about SNL and mythologizing SNL. —Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025

Yet Tombstone has learned that tourists are most attracted to the gunplay and lawlessness in its past, as portrayed and mythologized by nearly a dozen Hollywood films. —Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025

True patriotism strives to fulfill those ideals, not mythologize them. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French mythologiser, from mythologie mythology + -iser -ize

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for mythologize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize