anonymize

verb

anon·​y·​mize ə-ˈnä-nə-ˌmīz How to pronounce anonymize (audio)
variants also British anonymise
anonymized; anonymizing

transitive verb

: to remove identifying information from (something, such as computer data) so that the original source cannot be known : to make (something) anonymous
There's an incredible amount of data in your travel profile. So they improved security and created a sophisticated way to anonymize data.Dana Hawkins
anonymization noun
also British anonymisation
anonymizer noun
also British anonymiser

Examples of anonymize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The family, speaking on camera for the first time, has to be anonymized because of a court order, but instead of silhouetting them, Reed fills the screen with just their eyes. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 July 2025 The data, which is aggregated and anonymized, doesn't directly track Amazon's sales but does reflect overall spending and suggest Prime Day demand. Mike Snider, USA Today, 12 July 2025 Once the data is no longer needed, it is either securely deleted or anonymized to prevent identification of the data subject. PC Magazine, 20 June 2025 Even when data is anonymized, some consumers may feel uneasy receiving a pet insurance offer shortly after adopting a dog or cat. Jon Jacobson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for anonymize

Word History

Etymology

anonym(ous) + -ize

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anonymize was in 1858

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anonymize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anonymize. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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