Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
bowdlerize
verb
/ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz/
Definition
To remove or modify parts of a work, especially literature or film, deemed inappropriate or offensive.
Examples
- The publisher decided to bowdlerize the novel before its release to ensure it was suitable for younger readers.
- Some critics argue that to bowdlerize Shakespeare’s plays is to rob them of their original impact and meaning.
- In an effort to reach a wider audience, the filmmaker chose to bowdlerize certain scenes from the original movie.
Meaning
Bowdlerizing involves altering a text to make it more acceptable or appropriate for a specific audience, often by censoring content that could be considered vulgar, objectionable, or sensitive.
Synonyms
- censor
- sanitize
- edit
- expurgate
- modify
