bowdlerize Definition
- 1remove or modify parts considered vulgar or objectionable
- 2modify a text by removing, modifying, or otherwise censoring its content
Using bowdlerize: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "bowdlerize" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The book was bowdlerized to make it suitable for children.
Example
The movie was bowdlerized to remove the violent scenes.
Example
The government often bowdlerizes sensitive documents before releasing them to the public.
bowdlerize Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with bowdlerize
to remove or modify parts of a text that are considered vulgar or objectionable
Example
The publisher decided to bowdlerize the novel before releasing it to the public.
to modify or sanitize historical events to make them more palatable or acceptable to contemporary audiences
Example
Some historians argue that textbooks often bowdlerize history to present a more positive view of certain events or figures.
to edit or censor a movie to remove objectionable content
Example
The studio decided to bowdlerize the film to avoid an R rating.
Origins of bowdlerize
named after Thomas Bowdler, who published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare's works in 1807
Summary: bowdlerize in Brief
The verb 'bowdlerize' [ˈbaʊdləraɪz] means to remove or modify parts of a text that are considered vulgar or objectionable. It is often used to describe the censorship of books, movies, or other media. For example, 'The book was bowdlerized to make it suitable for children.' 'Bowdlerize' can also be used to describe the modification or sanitization of historical events or other content. Synonyms include 'censor,' 'expurgate,' and 'sanitize.'
