Bowdlerize

v. t.

1.

To expurgate, as a book, by omitting or modifying the parts considered offensive; to remove morally objectionable parts; - said of literary texts. [imp. & p. p. Bowdlerized ; p. pr. & vb. n. Bowdlerizing .] It is a grave defect in the splendid tale of Tom Jones . . . that a Bowdlerized version of it would be hardly intelligible as a tale. - F. Harrison.

Verb

1.

bowdlerize - edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate; "bowdlerize a novel" Synonyms: bowdlerise, expurgate, castrate, shorten

abbreviate, abridge, bleach, blot out, blue-pencil, cancel, censor, clean, clean out, clean up, cleanse, clear out, cross out, cut, delete, delouse, depurate, deterge, dry-clean, dust, dust off, edit, edit out, erase, expunge, expurgate, freshen, kill, lustrate, omit, purge, purify, reform, rescind, rub out, scavenge, spruce, steam-clean, strike, strike off, strike out, sweep out, sweeten, tidy, void, whiten, wipe, wipe off, wipe out, wipe up