desexualize

verb
de·​sex·​u·​al·​ize | \ (ˌ)dē-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-ˌlīz How to pronounce desexualize (audio) , -ˈsek-shə-ˌlīz, -ˈsek-shü-ə-\
desexualized; desexualizing; desexualizes

Definition of desexualize

transitive verb

1 : to deprive of sexual characters or power
2 : to divest of sexual quality

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Other Words from desexualize

desexualization \ (ˌ)dē-​ˌsek-​sh(ə-​)wə-​lə-​ˈzā-​shən How to pronounce desexualization (audio) , -​ˌsek-​shə-​lə-​ , -​ˌsek-​shü-​ə-​ \ noun

Examples of desexualize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Several told me stories of being advised to desexualize themselves, or of choosing to do so. Hallie Lieberman, New York Times, "Stormy Daniels Isn’t the First Sex Worker to Go Into Comedy," 7 June 2019 But beyond its shiny surface and real estate pornography, the film, is a way to talk about the ways in which older people are desexualized in our culture. Katie Walsh, kansascity, "In ‘Book Club,’ watching Fonda, Bergen, Keaton and Steenburgen is a guilty pleasure | The Kansas City Star," 17 May 2018 When women become mothers, they are desexualized and hyper-sexualized simultaneously. Sarah Hosseini, Harper's BAZAAR, "It's Time to Retire the Title of MILF," 11 May 2018 Selfie Saturday was borne out of a desire to desexualize the group a bit, according to Garcia. NBC News, "'Gay Geeks': An Online Utopia for LGBTQ Gamers, Comic Fans and Trekkies," 16 Oct. 2017 It' so hard to create an online community around the subjects of body, self esteem, woman emancipation and desexualizing nudity. Elizabeth Narins, Cosmopolitan, "This 1,001-Photo Project Finds the Beauty in Every Butt," 16 Aug. 2017 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, "New Brie Larson Concept Art Should Make Captain Marvel Fans Very Happy," 18 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'desexualize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of desexualize

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for desexualize

desexualize

transitive verb
de·​sex·​u·​al·​ize
variants: or British desexualise \ (ˈ)dē-​ˈseksh-​(ə-​)wə-​ˌlīz, -​ˈsek-​shə-​ˌlīz How to pronounce desexualise (audio) \
desexualized or British desexualised; desexualizing or British desexualising

Medical Definition of desexualize

1 : to deprive of sexual characters or power
2 : to divest of sexual quality

Other Words from desexualize

desexualization or British desexualisation \ (ˌ)dē-​ˌseksh-​(ə-​)wə-​lə-​ˈzā-​shən, -​ˌsek-​shə-​lə-​ How to pronounce desexualisation (audio) \ noun