popularize

verb

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

intransitive verb

: to cater to popular taste

transitive verb

: to make popular: such as
a
: to cause to be liked or esteemed
b
: to present in generally understandable or interesting form
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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The beat's exact origin is unknown but is believed to have been started by MPS students and popularized in the 1990s. Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025 Publications like Scientific American and accounts of the Perry Expedition to Japan helped popularize the concept. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 The collection paid homage to the Art Deco movement, popularized in the 1920s and 1930s and characterized by opulence and geometric designs. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025 The vertical video format has seen a resurgence led by companies like ReelShort, which has popularized the Quibi-like concept for the TikTok era. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Popularize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/popularize. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on popularize

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