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

Baking soda: This can be used to deodorize, remove stains, and clean surfaces. —Joe Difazio, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

Garbage disposal: Pour some down the drain with baking soda to help deodorize and cut grease. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025

This is applied inside the bowl itself and helps to deodorize and clean the bowl with every flush. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025

The lavender-scented repairing heel balm taps vegan squalane, organic virgin olive oil and macadamia and jojoba oils to deodorize and repair. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 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