bastardize

[ bas-ter-dahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, bas·tard·ized, bas·tard·iz·ing.

1. to lower in condition or worth; debase:

   hybrid works that neither preserve nor bastardize existing art forms.

2. to declare or prove (someone) to be a bastard.
3. Australian. to harass or humiliate as part of initiation into a college or regiment.

verb (used without object)

, bas·tard·ized, bas·tard·iz·ing.

1. to become debased.

bastardize

/ ˈbɑːstəˌdaɪz; ˈbæs- /

verb

1. to debase; corrupt
2. archaic.
   to declare illegitimate

Other Words From

• bastard·i·zation noun
• un·bastard·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bastardize¹

First recorded in 1580–90; bastard + -ize

Example Sentences

To bastardize the bands Pablo Cruise or Yes, love will always find a way.

From Outside Online

Rather than getting yeast to pump out insulin, for example, the cell could produce a bastardized, non-working version, or just die off.

From Singularity Hub 

A bastardized version of the memory, generated by the network itself based on past experiences, was sufficient to give the algorithm a hefty memory boost.

From Singularity Hub