de·sex·u·al·ize
(ˌ)dē-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-ˌlīz 
-ˈsek-shə-ˌlīz,
-ˈsek-shü-ə-
desexualized; desexualizing; desexualizes
: the act or an instance of desexualizing
the view that this desexualization necessarily results in the choice of a higher, more socially acceptable channel of expression—
G. S. Blum
G. S. BlumExamples of desexualize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
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
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Verb
That sounds desexualizing, too.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Desexualize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desexualize. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
desexualize
transitive verb
de·sex·u·al·ize
variants
or British desexualise
desexualized or British desexualised; desexualizing or British desexualising
1
: to deprive of sexual characters or power
2
: to divest of sexual quality
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