vulgarize

1 of 2

verb

vul·​gar·​ize ˈvəl-gə-ˌrīz How to pronounce vulgarize (audio)
vulgarized; vulgarizing
Synonyms of vulgarizenext

transitive verb

1
: to diffuse generally : popularize
2
: to make vulgar : coarsen
vulgarization
ˌvəl-gə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce vulgarize (audio)
noun
vulgarizer
ˈvəl-gə-ˌrī-zər How to pronounce vulgarize (audio)
noun

vulgarization

2 of 2

noun

vul·​gar·​iza·​tion
variants also British vulgarisation
ˌvəlgərə̇ˈzāshən, 
-əˌrīˈz-
plural -s
1
: a making widely familiar : popularization
the book is unpretentious—a sensible piece of vulgarization—New Republic
a work of vulgarization marked by scholarly accuracy—Kemp Malone
2
: coarsening, debasement
a general vulgarization of taste and feeling—August Heckscher

Synonyms of vulgarize

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Verb

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Examples of vulgarize in a Sentence

Verb The movie is a vulgarized version of the original story. the composer's masterpiece has been hopelessly vulgarized by its use in countless TV commercials
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Verb
His versions were full-blooded, with lush strings and reasonably large orchestras — and, purists alleged — vulgarizing distortions. — BostonGlobe.com, 28 Oct. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vulgarize was in 1709

Rhymes for vulgarize

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Browse Nearby Words

vulgarization
vulgarize
vulgarizer
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Cite this Entry

“Vulgarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vulgarize. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vulgarize

verb
vul·​gar·​ize ˈvəl-gə-ˌrīz How to pronounce vulgarize (audio)
vulgarized; vulgarizing
: to make vulgar
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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