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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
-
Known for his roles in five feature-length martial arts films, Lee is credited with helping to popularize martial arts films in the 1970s and promoting Hong Kong action cinema.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 June 2025
-
One hundred years later, ocean liners—a mode of transport that Tricia Cusack argues helped to popularize the reach of the British Empire for upper-class travelers—would be superseded by the convenience of commercial air travel.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Lent during the Statesman’s preview cautioned against stereotyping people entering the country and said immigration remains an integral part of the U.S. economy.—
Ian Max Stevenson,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Troy schools board president Karl Schmidt loses reelection after his letters stereotyping Asians were uncovered.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Detroit Free Press,
8 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Let your child know that overusing harsh ingredients or layering multiple products can damage their skin—yes, even if it's being promoted by social media influencers.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
10 June 2025
-
These storms are why Coloradans overuse the cliche Don’t like the weather?—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside Online,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Applying a minor exposure adjustment will naturally boost the contrast between darker and lighter tones of your image, and a good result will be one where the solar disk does not appear under- or overexposed.—
Josh Dury,
Space.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The couple’s recent red-carpet appearance with their kids at Pompeo’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony was a rare one, and I, for one, kind of love that their family life is the antithesis of overexposed.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
To show it off, engineer Jes Clauson-Kaas carefully descends down nine stories of rickety scaffolding along the edge of a massive concrete hole bored into the earth.—
Rob Schmitz,
NPR,
13 June 2025
-
Some people assume that longtime married couples are boring, but my husband has never bored me.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vulgarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vulgarize. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share