popularize

verb

pop·​u·​lar·​ize ˈpä-pyə-lə-ˌrīz How to pronounce popularize (audio)
popularized; popularizing
Synonyms of popularizenext

intransitive verb

: to cater to popular taste

transitive verb

: to make popular: such as
a
: to cause to be liked or esteemed
a sitcom that popularized the phrase
b
: to present in generally understandable or interesting form
a popularized version of American history
popularization noun
popularizer noun

Examples of popularize in a Sentence

a phrase that was popularized by its use in a hit TV show Dream analysis was popularized by Sigmund Freud. The book presents a popularized version of American history.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Barnes credits the civil rights era and especially mothers with helping de-popularize blackface in the 1970s, first in schools and then in the larger culture. Terry Gross, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026 After the war, the trench remained popular in peacetime and was popularized by Hollywood in countless noir films, as well as Humphrey Bogart’s turn in Casablanca. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026 In particular, Hobbes popularized the idea of generating a commonwealth in order to escape the uncertainty in a state of nature where self-preservation is fundamental. Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026 Through its efforts to champion new stars like Junior and Cano, Rancho Humilde helped to popularize the style; Junior and Cano’s 2019 collaborative album with Don Sanchez — simply titled Corridos Tumbados — was a key moment in the subgenre’s emergence. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for popularize

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French populariser "to present in a favorable light, make popular," from populaire popular + -iser -ize

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of popularize was in 1593

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Cite this Entry

“Popularize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/popularize. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

popularize

verb
pop·​u·​lar·​ize ˈpäp-yə-lə-ˌrīz How to pronounce popularize (audio)
popularized; popularizing
: to make popular
popularization noun
popularizer noun

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