desexualize

verb

de·​sex·​u·​al·​ize (ˌ)dē-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-ˌlīz How to pronounce desexualize (audio)
-ˈsek-shə-ˌlīz,
-ˈsek-shü-ə-
desexualized; desexualizing; desexualizes

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of sexual characters or power
2
: to divest of sexual quality
desexualization
(ˌ)dē-ˌsek-sh(ə-)wə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce desexualize (audio)
-ˌsek-shə-lə-
-ˌsek-shü-ə-
noun

Examples of desexualize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the all-male subculture of riders, however, her womanhood isn’t a plus, though her desexualized look and behavior — wild-haired, baggy and thuggish — blares discomfort with giving off, or accepting, anyone’s gender identity. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2023 In addition, many vaccination campaigns aim to desexualize the HPV vaccine, instead of focusing on its effectiveness in preventing cancers later in life. USA Today, 23 May 2022 Participants see the march as an opportunity to normalize and desexualize women’s breasts. The Know Staff, The Know, 26 Aug. 2019 Several told me stories of being advised to desexualize themselves, or of choosing to do so. Hallie Lieberman, New York Times, 7 June 2019 When women become mothers, they are desexualized and hyper-sexualized simultaneously. Sarah Hosseini, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 May 2018 The idea for the Captain’s redesign came via DeConnick’s editor, Stephen Wacker, who cited his young daughters as an inspiration to desexualize Carol. Joanna Robinson, VanityFair.com, 18 Apr. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'desexualize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of desexualize was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near desexualize

Cite this Entry

“Desexualize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desexualize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

desexualize

transitive verb
de·​sex·​u·​al·​ize
desexualized or British desexualised; desexualizing or British desexualising
1
: to deprive of sexual characters or power
2
: to divest of sexual quality
desexualization noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!