deodorize

verb

de·​odor·​ize dē-ˈō-də-ˌrīz 

deodorized; deodorizing; deodorizes

transitive verb

1

: to eliminate or prevent the offensive odor of

2

: to make (something unpleasant or reprehensible) more acceptable

the movie deodorizes his scandalous career

deodorization

dē-ˌō-də-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

deodorizer noun

Synonyms

• excuse
• explain away
• extenuate
• gloss (over)
• gloze (over)
• palliate
• whitewash

Examples of deodorize in a Sentence

We had the carpet cleaned and deodorized.

the propaganda film attempts to deodorize the dictator's history of human rights abuses

Recent Examples on the Web

When the cat enters the box, their weight is displayed on the front, and the app logs every time it was used, for how long, when the cleaning cycle begins, ends, and when the deodorizing spray was emitted. —Molly Higgins, Wired News, 9 May 2025

Lemon or Vinegar Cleaning Method Acids like lemon or vinegar help to deodorize and disinfect wood cutting boards. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2025

Steam cleaner to deodorize, sanitize, and reduce allergens. —Joe Difazio, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

This box has triple odor control, with a sealed waste bin; an odor eliminator attachment that sits in the waste bin; and a smart, citrusy deodorizing spray that goes off after every cleaning and randomly throughout the day to ensure the litter box stays fresh. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deodorize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

deodorize

verb

de·​odor·​ize dē-ˈōd-ə-ˌrīz 

deodorized; deodorizing

: to eliminate or prevent the unpleasant odor of

deodorizer noun

Medical Definition

deodorize

transitive verb

de·​odor·​ize

variants or British deodorise

dē-ˈōd-ə-ˌrīz 

deodorized or British deodorised; deodorizing or British deodorising

: to eliminate or prevent the offensive odor of

deodorization noun

or British deodorisation

-ˌōd-ə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

deodorizer noun

or British deodoriser