bowdlerize

verb
UK: /ˈbaʊdləraɪz/
US: /ˈboʊdləraɪz/

  1. To remove parts of a book, play, or film that are considered offensive or unsuitable.

    1. They had to bowdlerize the book for younger readers. [ ] [ ]
    2. The movie was heavily bowdlerized to receive a lower age rating so it could be shown in schools. [ ] [ ]

  2. To censor or modify something, often with the intention of making it less controversial or offensive, sometimes damaging the original work.

    1. The editor chose to bowdlerize the article. [ ] [ ]
    2. Critics accused the museum of bowdlerizing history by removing certain artifacts from display to appease donors. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

censor edit expurgate sanitize purge cut
bowdlerize adjective

  1. A version of a text that has been censored or altered to remove offensive or unsuitable parts.

    1. This is a bowdlerize version. [ ] [ ]
    2. The school library offers a bowdlerized version of classic literature to cater to younger students. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "bowdlerize" in English means: To remove parts of a book, play, or film that are considered offensive or unsuitable., To censor or modify something, often with the intention of making it less controversial or offensive, sometimes damaging the original work..

The phonetic transcription of "bowdlerize" is /ˈbaʊdləraɪz/ in British English and /ˈboʊdləraɪz/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "bowdlerize": censor, edit, expurgate, sanitize, purge, cut.

Example usage of "bowdlerize": "They had to bowdlerize the book for younger readers.". More examples on the page.