contemporize

verb

con·​tem·​po·​rize kən-ˈtem-pə-ˌrīz How to pronounce contemporize (audio)
contemporized; contemporizing
Synonyms of contemporizenext

transitive verb

: to make contemporary
contemporize a magazine with the latest fashions

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of contemporize in a Sentence

the new owners of the old-line French restaurant plan to contemporize the menu and make the place seem less intimidating
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lydia Cornett & Brit Fryer; 2024; USA; 18 min Three trans opera singers refine their unique vocal talents and contemporize the history of gender-fluid performances in the art form. — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025 Each is contemporizing ready-to-wear for the next generation of fashion followers. — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

contempor(ary) entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contemporize was in 1646

Rhymes for contemporize

See All Rhymes for contemporize

Browse Nearby Words

contemporary
contemporize
contempt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contemporize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemporize. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All