sanitize

[ san-i-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, san·i·tized, san·i·tiz·ing.

1. to free from dirt, germs, etc., as by cleaning or sterilizing.
2. to make less offensive by eliminating anything unwholesome, objectionable, incriminating, etc.:

   to sanitize a document before releasing it to the press.

sanitize

/ ˈsænɪˌtaɪz /

verb

1. to make sanitary or hygienic, as by sterilizing
2. to omit unpleasant details from (a news report, document, etc) to make it more palatable to the recipients

Derived Forms

• ˌsanitiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• sani·ti·zation noun
• un·sani·tized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanitize¹

First recorded in 1830–40; sanit(ary) + -ize

Example Sentences

Making things worse, listeria can spread easily if food comes into contact with contaminated surfaces and multiply rapidly despite aggressive cleaning and sanitizing, according to the USDA.

From Los Angeles Times

Forster presents a somewhat sanitized view of the Holocaust that is sobering but digestible for younger audiences.

From Los Angeles Times

He has the whole press corps acting as his ghostwriter, sanitizing his babble for the public.

From Salon

She said the heat generated by sanitizing appliances makes the room feel at least 10 degrees hotter than the outdoor temperature.

From Los Angeles Times

Past efforts to limit public viewing of Trump’s outbursts, whether online or on the debate stage, “just sanitizes his image for the public,” Rosenberg argued, “making him look more reasonable that he is.”

From Salon

Related Words

• decontaminate
• disinfect