What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bowdlerize
Example
The movie was bowdlerized to remove the violent scenes and make it suitable for children. [bowdlerized: past tense]
Example
The publisher decided to bowdlerize the novel by removing explicit language and controversial themes. [bowdlerize: verb]
redact
Example
The government agency redacted the classified information from the document before releasing it to the public. [redacted: past tense]
Example
The lawyer had to redact the client's personal information from the legal document to ensure privacy. [redact: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Redact is more commonly used than bowdlerize in professional or formal contexts, especially in legal or governmental settings. Bowdlerize is less common and is often associated with older or classic literature.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bowdlerize and redact?
While redact is typically used in formal or professional settings, bowdlerize can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the nature of the text being edited.
