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 of deodorize

• excuse
• explain
• justify
• palliate
• whitewash
• explain away
• gloss (over)

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 works well against grease spots on the stovetop and can help keep your garbage disposals clear and deodorized. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026

To deodorize and tackle slow-draining sinks, sprinkle a bit of baking soda down the drain before pouring a generous amount of apple cider vinegar. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026

In order to deodorize your trash can, just add some orange peels to the mix. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 27 July 2026

Lineage is also using misters inside the building to try to deodorize the food until it is removed from the site. — Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deodorize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

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