bastardize

American  

[bas-ter-dahyz] / ˈbæs tərˌdaɪz /

especially British, bastardise

verb (used with object)

bastardized, bastardizing

1. to lower in condition or worth; debase.

   hybrid works that neither preserve nor bastardize existing art forms.

2. to declare or prove (someone) to be a bastard.

3. Australian. to harass or humiliate as part of initiation into a college or regiment.

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verb (used without object)

bastardized, bastardizing

1. to become debased.

bastardize British  

/ ˈbæs-, ˈbɑːstəˌdaɪz /

verb

1. to debase; corrupt

2. archaic to declare illegitimate

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Other Word Forms

• bastardization noun
• unbastardized adjective

Etymology

Origin of bastardize

First recorded in 1580–90; bastard + -ize

Example Sentences

You simply had — to bastardize a phrase popularized by Timothy Leary — to turn in, tune out and drop out.

From Salon • Dec. 8, 2024

“People were up in arms about how you could bastardize the written word, and do it on this screen, and not have the tactile feeling of the page and the leather-bound book,” he recalled.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2022

“If we bastardize Congress, we’re also bastardizing our country,” Cayetano said in his video message.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 13, 2020

“If we bastardize Congress, we’re also bastardizing our country,” Cayetano said in his video message.

From Washington Times • Oct. 13, 2020

The law is so indulgent as not to bastardize the child, if born, though not begotten, in lawful wedlock.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah