as in to popularize
to use so much as to make less appealing
the composer's masterpiece has been hopelessly vulgarized by its use in countless TV commercials
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vulgarize
His versions were full-blooded, with lush strings and reasonably large orchestras — and, purists alleged — vulgarizing distortions.
—
BostonGlobe.com, 28 Oct. 2019
Ever since his rise to power, Trump has served as a vulgarizing agent.
—Leon Neyfakh, Slate Magazine, 2 June 2017
BostonGlobe.com, 28 Oct. 2019
Ever since his rise to power, Trump has served as a vulgarizing agent.
—Leon Neyfakh, Slate Magazine, 2 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vulgarize
Verb
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Martha Van Rensselaer, who with her life partner Flora Rose later helped popularize the field of home economics, was born in Randolph, New York.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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SmartSweets helped popularize the category early on with gummy bears that once packed 28 grams of fiber in one bag, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
Verb
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In their scenes together, Ahmed plays straight man so Khan can go huge, all breezy confidence and street smarts combined as a defense against the countless stereotypes the bearded, accented, proudly Muslim Zulfi must face every day.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
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When younger generations don’t have interactions or relationships with older adults having vibrant lives, later chapters of life can be stereotyped as a time of pain, difficulty and loss, Emery-Tiburcio said.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Common mistakes like skipping morning water, overusing caffeine, or ignoring electrolytes can impact hydration.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
22 May 2026
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De-escalate the Crisis Narrative The word crisis is splashed across every headline regarding mental health, but Redding warns that overusing this term can actually hinder our ability to help.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Talent can lose trust, seem overexposed, fall out of sync with the moment, or simply become less compelling.—
Lin Cherry,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
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Not all are stars yet, and even some of the more talented players get overexposed, but these people can generally play the roles required of them.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
17 May 2026
Verb
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This new Cannon offering, filled with chintzy special effects, a ludicrous story line and campy performances, will likely bore adults but have the kiddies clamoring for more.—
Jeffrey Ressner,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
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Fiedler is capable of aggravating us but not of boring us.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vulgarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgarize. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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