posterize
verb
pos·ter·ize
ˈpō-stə-ˌrīz 
posterized; posterizing; posterizes
1
a
: to print or display (an image, such as a photograph) with a limited number of tones or colors in a way suggesting or appropriate to a poster
You can also go wild with the Equalizer's advanced modes—posterize the picture, change it to negative, make it black and white …—
Popular Photography
Popular Photography
b
: to make (an image) into a poster
You could freeze nearly any shot of this film, go to one of those websites that posterize any image and have a piece of art suitable for framing.—Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper2
US sports, informal
: to make a memorable and visually striking play against (an opponent)
He ran through a hole on the right side, posterized safety Anthony Cioffi with a sharp cut to the inside and exploded into the end zone.—Tom Oates
Tom Oates
especially, basketball
: to make a forceful and overpowering dunk shot over (an overmatched defensive player)
The Sixers rookie used two hands to posterize Harper, grabbing his first highlight-reel worthy dunk since being drafted in June. —Matt Breen
Matt Breen … Smith got posterized, or dunked on, by Indiana Pacers forward Shawne Williams, and the dunk was played multiple times on Sports Center's top 10. —Jeff Dillon and Sean Star
Jeff Dillon and Sean Star Examples of posterize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This isn’t like missing a 2-foot putt, or getting posterized, or letting a groundball squeak through your legs or blowing a tire on the ice.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Many of the moves that now dominate pro basketball highlights, such as posterizing dunks, ankle-breaking crossovers and dizzying spins, became staples of the professional game during that era.
—Michael A. Fletcher, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2023
Horry took off toward the rim from just inside the paint, attempting to posterize Bulls Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen in the process.
—Josh Criswell, Chron, 28 Jan. 2023
Sexton read the play, surged forward, took the pass from Isaac Okoro, loaded up and bounced off the floor, trying to posterize Spurs 7-footer Jakob Poeltl.
—Chris Fedor, cleveland, 8 Apr. 2021
Jackson also attempted to posterize James Wiseman in the third quarter on a dunk.
—Omari Sankofa Ii, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2021
Oubre, whose first instinct is to attack the basket and posterize somebody, must learn to find Curry as a matter of habit if his superstar teammate is open.
—Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, 29 Dec. 2020
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Zak Keefer, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Many of the moves that now dominate pro basketball highlights, such as posterizing dunks, ankle-breaking crossovers and dizzying spins, became staples of the professional game during that era.
—Michael A. Fletcher, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2023
Horry took off toward the rim from just inside the paint, attempting to posterize Bulls Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen in the process.
—Josh Criswell, Chron, 28 Jan. 2023
Sexton read the play, surged forward, took the pass from Isaac Okoro, loaded up and bounced off the floor, trying to posterize Spurs 7-footer Jakob Poeltl.
—Chris Fedor, cleveland, 8 Apr. 2021
Jackson also attempted to posterize James Wiseman in the third quarter on a dunk.
—Omari Sankofa Ii, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2021
Oubre, whose first instinct is to attack the basket and posterize somebody, must learn to find Curry as a matter of habit if his superstar teammate is open.
—Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, 29 Dec. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Posterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/posterize. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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