Expurgate
verb
To remove content from a book, film, or other work of art that is considered offensive, harmful, or not suitable.
The editor decided to expurgate the book by removing controversial chapters.
Often appears as...
- expurgate a book
- expurgate offensive content
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
verb
To remove content from a book, film, or other work of art that is considered offensive, harmful, or not suitable.
The editor decided to expurgate the book by removing controversial chapters.
Often appears as...
- expurgate a book
- expurgate offensive content
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Use
'Expurgate' was frequently used when censorship was common to align with moral standards.
Historians study how textbooks were expurgated in different eras.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Sensitive
Use 'expurgate' when discussing changes that specifically remove offensive or harmful content.
The director had to expurgate certain scenes for the movie to be allowed in cinemas.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Bowdlerize
Don't confuse 'expurgate' with 'bowdlerize'. 'Expurgate' is less about total removal and more about making acceptable.
The publisher chose to expurgate, not bowdlerize, to retain the book's essence.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Use
'Expurgate' was frequently used when censorship was common to align with moral standards.
Historians study how textbooks were expurgated in different eras.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Sensitive
Use 'expurgate' when discussing changes that specifically remove offensive or harmful content.
The director had to expurgate certain scenes for the movie to be allowed in cinemas.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Bowdlerize
Don't confuse 'expurgate' with 'bowdlerize'. 'Expurgate' is less about total removal and more about making acceptable.
The publisher chose to expurgate, not bowdlerize, to retain the book's essence.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Use
'Expurgate' was frequently used when censorship was common to align with moral standards.
Historians study how textbooks were expurgated in different eras.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Sensitive
Use 'expurgate' when discussing changes that specifically remove offensive or harmful content.
The director had to expurgate certain scenes for the movie to be allowed in cinemas.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Bowdlerize
Don't confuse 'expurgate' with 'bowdlerize'. 'Expurgate' is less about total removal and more about making acceptable.
The publisher chose to expurgate, not bowdlerize, to retain the book's essence.
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