sanitize

verb

san·i·tize | \ ˈsa-nə-ˌtīz

sanitized; sanitizing

Definition of sanitize

transitive verb

1 : to make sanitary (as by cleaning or sterilizing)

2 : to make more acceptable by removing unpleasant or undesired features attempts to sanitize historical accounts

Other Words from sanitize More Example Sentences Learn More about sanitize

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of sanitize in a Sentence

The housekeeping staff sanitized the bathroom. They're trying to sanitize the news.

Recent Examples on the Web

Its health benefits range from aromatherapy to sanitizing cuts. — Dean Fosdick, The Seattle Times, "Lavender: The ‘Swiss Army knife’ of fragrant herbs," 26 Mar. 2019 Spritz from a distance of 6-8 inches away and let the fabric remain wet for five minutes to sanitize. — Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping, "How to Clean a Couch Like a Pro," 29 Mar. 2019 One easy method: applying sanitizing foam to the stethoscope’s diaphragm—the part that touches a patient’s skin—after using it on their own hands. — Lucette Lagnado, WSJ, "Hospitals Step Up the War on Superbugs," 8 Sep. 2018 To progressives, such critics have sanitized King’s legacy, erasing its radical elements to avoid acknowledging persistent racial inequality. — Coleman Hughes, WSJ, "Martin Luther King, Colorblind Radical," 17 Jan. 2019 So, is Home Alone just a US knockoff, sanitized for American tastes? — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Dial Code: Santa Claus is our new favorite holiday cult classic," 24 Dec. 2018 Obviously, sanitizing cutting boards is a no-brainer but even that doesn't always keep strong onion and garlic smells at bay. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Unwanted Odors in Your House," 29 Nov. 2018 Still, Walsh got his client to pull himself together and sanitize his image (if not his conduct). — Katherine A. Powers, WSJ, "‘The Big Fella’ Review: American Hit Parade," 5 Oct. 2018 The easiest way to sanitize is to make a bleach solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach in a gallon of water and soak everything in there for at least 20 minutes, or put that solution inside anything that can’t be soaked (your fermentation vessels). — Casey Johnston, Ars Technica, "Store-bought is not enough: My first hard cider homebrew," 22 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sanitize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.