bastardize

verb

ˈba-stər-ˌdīz How to pronounce bastardize (audio)
Definition of bastardizenext
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality bastardize the art form by adapting it to popular taste

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bastardize The events meant to bring us together, like the Super Bowl or March Madness, have been bastardized into vehicles for ruinous addiction. — MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025 Additionally, adding the musical element further bastardizes this tale. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025 Over the years, though, the cocktail has become bastardized into a sugary drink containing all sorts of fruit juices and sweeteners, causing it to be denegrated alongside the likes of Long Island Ice Teas and Strawberry Daiquiris. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2023 These white people in blackface entertained the masses with stereotypes of Blackness, bastardizing the Black identity in the process. — Tayo Bero, refinery29.com, 4 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for bastardize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bastardize
  1. degrade
  2. subvert
  3. corrupt
  4. dilute
  5. humiliate
  6. debase
  7. weaken
  8. destroy
Verb
  • For daily commuting, these units degrade more slowly when owners avoid charging them to 100%.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2026
  • In the intermediate stage sugar molecules are dehydrated and degraded, along with amino acids.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of degrade
Verb
  • Critics say the administration launched the war without proper authorization, violated the War Powers Resolution and subverted congressional war-declaring powers.
    — Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
  • His thoroughly corrupted Justice Department blatantly acted to subvert Tuesday’s balloting.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of subvert
Verb
  • Vietnam, in his telling, had corrupted the very purpose that gave American power its meaning.
    — David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The attacker may have started corrupting data days or weeks ago.
    — Jim McGann, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Verb
  • Its prescribing information specifies that it must be diluted and administered through a vein.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • But for media organizations, allowing the proliferation of AI seems more likely to dilute, rather than enrich, the ultimate product.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of dilute
Verb
  • From coast to coast, and in some of the reddest parts of the country, Republicans were humiliated.
    — Lauren Peller, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Weaving the narratives together creates a fuller picture of generations of men and women who, however imperfectly, did their best to carve out lives for themselves in a world determined to humiliate them.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of humiliate
Verb
  • But when the King is gifted with another little person, whom the king debases and shames, Hopfrog plots a terrible revenge.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, the Daily Beast reported on the Fielder fandom, with devotees praising his voice, competence and willingness to debase himself for the camera.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of debase
Verb
  • An evening spent practicing, creating, or enjoying your own company can strengthen your life outside the group without weakening the friendship.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The grid, however, was already weakened given a lack of maintenance and investment.
    — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • An electrical fire destroyed their home on Osceola Avenue during Fourth of July weekend in 2005.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Earthquakes in July 2019 destroyed three energetics compounds in the Salt Wells area of China Lake.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of destroy

Browse Nearby Words

bastard
bastardize
bastardized
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Cite this Entry

“Bastardize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bastardize. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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