as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
bastardize the art form by adapting it to popular taste
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bastardize
Over the years, though, the cocktail has become bastardized into a sugary drink containing all sorts of fruit juices and sweeteners, causing it to be denegrated alongside the likes of Long Island Ice Teas and Strawberry Daiquiris.
—
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2023
These white people in blackface entertained the masses with stereotypes of Blackness, bastardizing the Black identity in the process.
—Tayo Bero, refinery29.com, 4 Apr. 2023
Society, this week, also bastardized two wholesome childhood fixtures, SunnyD and Girl Scout Cookies.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 10 Mar. 2023
What does a profession license mean if you’re allowed to bastardize the court system that way.
—Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 13 Dec. 2020
Videos that bastardize neighborhood names, or cluelessly treat storied establishments like new discoveries.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2022
To bastardize the bands Pablo Cruise or Yes, love will always find a way.
—Outside Online, 13 Feb. 2021
As a carcass decomposes, the bacteria in the body itself runs rampant, producing its signature stink and bastardizing the soil’s microbiome.
—Matt Simon, Wired, 21 Jan. 2020
The initial fear that the band was going to make a killing on wading-pool-deep music and basically bastardize country music was way off-base.
—Chuck Yarborough, cleveland, 8 Jan. 2020
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2023
These white people in blackface entertained the masses with stereotypes of Blackness, bastardizing the Black identity in the process.
—Tayo Bero, refinery29.com, 4 Apr. 2023
Society, this week, also bastardized two wholesome childhood fixtures, SunnyD and Girl Scout Cookies.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 10 Mar. 2023
What does a profession license mean if you’re allowed to bastardize the court system that way.
—Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 13 Dec. 2020
Videos that bastardize neighborhood names, or cluelessly treat storied establishments like new discoveries.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2022
To bastardize the bands Pablo Cruise or Yes, love will always find a way.
—Outside Online, 13 Feb. 2021
As a carcass decomposes, the bacteria in the body itself runs rampant, producing its signature stink and bastardizing the soil’s microbiome.
—Matt Simon, Wired, 21 Jan. 2020
The initial fear that the band was going to make a killing on wading-pool-deep music and basically bastardize country music was way off-base.
—Chuck Yarborough, cleveland, 8 Jan. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bastardize
Verb
-
This action further degrades ISIS's ability to plot and conduct terrorist attacks threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Throbbing and thumping bass frequencies, which are harder to tame than higher frequencies like splashy cymbals and twangy guitars, will typically degrade the audio quality in smaller rooms.—
Parker Hall,
WIRED,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The former president’s sweeping and even preemptive pardons subvert ongoing legal processes and, therefore, the law.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Israel’s populist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely avoided public clashes with the Israel Defense Force’s leadership, but politicians in his orbit have regularly attacked top officers as elites bent on subverting the will of the people.—
Ronald R. Krebs,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
This process is political and has been corrupted to the core.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Another dish that has not been corrupted is a slice of smearcase.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
There will always be the influencers and celebrities, dressed head-to-toe by brands, somewhat diluting the street-style impact, but this season the main takeaway was wearable, relatable clothes.—
Alex Badia,
WWD,
22 Jan. 2025
-
And although living among clouds of fine debris might feel apocalyptic, Borch told me that the wind could be helping to dilute the contamination in my neighborhood.—
Katharine Gammon,
The Atlantic,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
This revelation doesn't go over well with Slowik, who humiliates Tyler, leading to Tyler's suicide.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
1 Feb. 2025
-
Someone might like to be humiliated but not negged.—
Fran Tirado,
Them,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Only by allowing himself to be debased can this man actually come to understand God.—
Kevin Lincoln,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
-
His illuminating backstage account of cable news describes thoughtful journalists debasing themselves in their scramble to retain straying viewers.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
China's offshore yuan weakened to a record low of 7.3765, while the dollar touched a more than 20-year high against its Canadian counterpart.—
Suzanne McGee and Isla Binnie,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
-
As the company scales back on its ability to offer ultra-low prices, the appeal of its fast-fashion model may weaken, putting its market position at risk.—
Francisco Velasquez,
Quartz,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Palestinians who have been sheltering in squalid tent camps and schools-turned-shelters for over a year are eager to return to their homes — even though they have likely been damaged or destroyed.—
Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy,
TIME,
27 Jan. 2025
-
The video was released Sunday by a law firm representing a woman whose house was destroyed by the fire and is suing Southern California Edison, the primary electrical utility for Los Angeles.—
Michelle Watson,
CNN,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near bastardize
Cite this Entry
“Bastardize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bastardize. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share