sanitize
Make sterile again
To sanitize is to make something clean or free of contamination—disinfecting a surface, sterilizing equipment, or purifying water.
The word extends to removing objectionable content: sanitizing a document strips sensitive information, sanitizing a story removes offensive elements.
This figurative sense often carries negative connotations, suggesting that important truths have been scrubbed away to make something more palatable: a sanitized version of history.
Conceal text for secrecy
- expurgateRemove offensive material
- bowdlerizeRemove objectionable content
- editModify written material
- suppressForcibly put an end to
filter · scrub · clean up · remove · delete · purge · whitewash · cover up
Eliminate all microorganisms
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
- bleachChemical stain and germ killer
chlorine · alcohol · hydrogen peroxide · antibacterial · decontaminate · pasteurize · autoclave · isopropanol
Clean by rubbing hard
rinse · cleanse · sponge · disinfecting wipes · spray · surface cleaner · mop · scour
Clean by rubbing hard
- anonymizeRemove identifying information
- redactConceal text for secrecy
- maskFace-worn concealment
- encryptConvert to coded form
purge · wipe · delete · obfuscate · privacy · GDPR · degauss · shred
Cleaning palms with soap
- antibacterial gelTopical disinfectant solution
- soap dispenserContainer releasing liquid cleanser
- food safetyIllness prevention through handling
- cross-contaminationTransfer of harmful substances
gloves · hairnet · health code · restaurant inspection · food handling · kitchen hygiene · personal hygiene
Conceal or coat pale
- gloss overMinimize or conceal flaws
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
- softenMake less firm
sugarcoat · prettify · clean up · neutralize · tone down · water down · rebrand · massage
redact
Conceal text for secrecy
- expurgateRemove offensive material
- bowdlerizeRemove objectionable content
- editModify written material
suppress · filter · scrub · clean up · remove · delete · purge · whitewash · cover up · obscure
sterilize
Eliminate all microorganisms
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
bleach · chlorine · alcohol · hydrogen peroxide · antibacterial · decontaminate · pasteurize · autoclave · isopropanol · ethanol
scrub
Clean by rubbing hard
detergent · rinse · cleanse · sponge · disinfecting wipes · spray · surface cleaner · mop · scour · degrease
scrub
Clean by rubbing hard
encrypt · purge · wipe · delete · obfuscate · privacy · GDPR · degauss · shred · cleanse
handwashing
Cleaning palms with soap
- antibacterial gelTopical disinfectant solution
- soap dispenserContainer releasing liquid cleanser
- food safetyIllness prevention through handling
cross-contamination · gloves · hairnet · health code · restaurant inspection · food handling · kitchen hygiene · personal hygiene
whitewash
Conceal or coat pale
- gloss overMinimize or conceal flaws
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
soften · sugarcoat · prettify · clean up · neutralize · tone down · water down · rebrand · massage · misrepresent
- cleaningcleaning, clean, housekeeping, clean up, daily cleaning
- cleanlinessclean, cleanliness, clean up, dirty, neatness
- laundrywashing machine, wash, dryer, clothes dryer, fold
- laundry caremachine wash, hand wash, delicate cycle, permanent press, spin cycle
- bathingbath, bathtub, bathe, wash, tub
- beverage makingbrew, brewing, ferment, fermentation, distillation
- hand sanitizerWaterless palm cleanser
- hand sanitizingCleaning palms with alcohol
- sanitizing wipesPre-soaked germ-killing cloths
- sanitizer wipesGerm-killing disposable cloths
- hand sanitizer dispenserDevice releasing cleansing gel
- hand sanitizer stationMounted dispenser for antiseptic gel
sanitized, sanitizer, sanitizing, sanitizes, sanitizers, sanitise, sanitization, sanitised, sanitising