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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Eventually, even the activist who helped popularize the slogan in 2018 mostly abandoned it.—
Elaine Godfrey,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
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Skype was founded in 2003 to popularize video call technology.—
Oscar Täckström,
Fortune,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Coalition for Faith and Media, in partnership with HarrisX, recently launched a research study that found 70% of Americans believe Hollywood stereotypes faith, while 82% say film and TV should prioritize portraying more accurate and complex portrayals of faith and religion.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
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Symptoms such as hot flashes and mood changes are well known, and often stereotyped, but experts worldwide want to highlight that women face a huge range of changes to their bodies during the menopause – and lack of awareness means many will start experiencing symptoms without knowing why.—
Sashikala VP,
CNN Money,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Education experts and parent advocates who are concerned about schools overusing devices for instruction said the documents shed new light, in candid detail, on the business motivations behind one of the biggest technology companies marketing its products to teachers and school administrators.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
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So, if the idea of culture is overused, its importance tells the path to success — or failure.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That range can provide diversification benefits without overexposing retirees to price swings that don't generate dividends or interest.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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David and Victoria are early pioneers in the modern practice of overexposing one’s offspring.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Their actions resulted in images that bore moral witness to what federal agents are doing in their city.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
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No solitary timed runs that can bore the audience, like in alpine skiing and long-track speedskating.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vulgarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgarize. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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