anonymize
verb
anon·y·mize
ə-ˈnä-nə-ˌmīz 
variants
also British anonymise
anonymized; anonymizing
: 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
Dana Hawkins
anonymizer
noun
also British anonymiser
Examples of anonymize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even if this data is somehow anonymized and aggregated, chances are those in the market for a new vehicle might want to take a closer look.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Sep. 2023
In 2008, although the data were anonymized, two researchers at the University of Texas at Austin were able to identify some users based on their ratings on the film database IMDb.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2023
Apple claims that data surfaced to other developers for comparison is anonymized; only aggregated data will be seen, so developers won't be able to see exactly how a specific competitor is performing.
—Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 2 Mar. 2023
Much of the tax software data was transmitted in a way that was supposed to make the users anonymous, but the legislators contend that a technology expert could easily get around the attempt at anonymizing the data.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 13 July 2023
Plaintiffs in the case, some of whose names have been anonymized, allege they were detained for months and years at a time and subjected to constant surveillance.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2023
Even when anonymized, agencies can cross-reference data sets to reveal information about specific individuals.
—Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 16 June 2023
Mercedes-Benz will retain complete control over the information technology processes in the background, while Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud will collect and retain voice command data which will be anonymized and analyzed.
—USA TODAY, 16 June 2023
Samples are now anonymized before researchers can use them, thus maintaining donor privacy to linked health data.
—Kimberly M. Baker, STAT, 7 June 2023
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Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Sep. 2023
In 2008, although the data were anonymized, two researchers at the University of Texas at Austin were able to identify some users based on their ratings on the film database IMDb.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2023
Apple claims that data surfaced to other developers for comparison is anonymized; only aggregated data will be seen, so developers won't be able to see exactly how a specific competitor is performing.
—Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 2 Mar. 2023
Much of the tax software data was transmitted in a way that was supposed to make the users anonymous, but the legislators contend that a technology expert could easily get around the attempt at anonymizing the data.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 13 July 2023
Plaintiffs in the case, some of whose names have been anonymized, allege they were detained for months and years at a time and subjected to constant surveillance.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2023
Even when anonymized, agencies can cross-reference data sets to reveal information about specific individuals.
—Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 16 June 2023
Mercedes-Benz will retain complete control over the information technology processes in the background, while Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud will collect and retain voice command data which will be anonymized and analyzed.
—USA TODAY, 16 June 2023
Samples are now anonymized before researchers can use them, thus maintaining donor privacy to linked health data.
—Kimberly M. Baker, STAT, 7 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anonymize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1858, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near anonymize
Cite this Entry
“Anonymize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anonymize. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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