de-westernized
|de-west-ern-ized|
🇺🇸
/diːˈwɛstərnaɪz/
🇬🇧
/diːˈwɛstənaɪz/
(de-westernize)
remove Western influence
Etymology
'de-westernize' originates from Latin and English elements: the prefix 'de-' (Latin) meaning 'from' or 'remove', combined with the English verb 'westernize' (itself formed from 'western' + the verb-forming suffix '-ize').
'de-' (Latin) was attached to English formations; 'western' derives from Old English 'westerne' (from 'west'), and the suffix '-ize' comes into English via Greek '-izein' through Latin/French forms, so the compound 'de-' + 'westernize' evolved into modern English 'de-westernize'.
Initially the parts meant 'remove' (de-) and 'to make Western' (-westernize), and together they came to mean 'to remove Western characteristics'; over time it has been used to describe deliberate policies or cultural shifts away from Westernization.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to remove Western cultural, political, or stylistic influences from (a society, institution, practice, etc.); to reverse or roll back Westernization.
The new policy de-westernized the school curriculum to emphasize local history and values.
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Verb 2
past tense or past participle form of 'de-westernize'.
Last decade, many institutions were de-westernized as part of a cultural reform.
Adjective 1
made less Western; having had Western influences removed or reduced.
They described the program as a de-westernized approach to medicine.
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Last updated: 2026/01/11 18:10