fictionalize

especially British, fic·tion·al·ise

[fik-shuh-nl-ahyz]

verb (used with object)

fictionalized, fictionalizing 

1. to make into fiction; give a somewhat imaginative or fictional version of.

   to fictionalize a biography.

fictionalize

/ ˈfɪkʃənəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to make into fiction or give a fictional aspect to

Other Word Forms

• fictionalization noun
• fictionalizer noun
• semifictionalized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fictionalize¹

First recorded in 1920–25; fictional ( def. ) + -ize

Example Sentences

An emotionally raw, fictionalized account of William Shakespeare and his wife grieving the loss of their young son, “Hamnet” won Toronto’s People’s Choice Award on Sunday, making it Zhao’s second movie to take that honor.

From Los Angeles Times

A fictionalized movie about the trial of 16 German jurists and lawyers who served the Nazis, it drove home the criticism of ends-oriented judging.

From Salon

This fictionalized version is more politically curious to the point of teetering on false.

From Los Angeles Times

And yet, despite having fictionalized aspects, Gómez Fernandez believes that the series offers truthfulness about his father’s essence as a person.

From Los Angeles Times

But then, Sam is only a bit removed from who we know Maron to be through “WTF” and “Maron,” his IFC comedy in which he played a fictionalized version of himself.

From Salon

Related Words

• fabricate