dewesternize
|de-west-er-nize|
🇺🇸
/diːˈwɛstərˌnaɪz/
🇬🇧
/diːˈwɛstənaɪz/
remove Western influence
Etymology
'dewesternize' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the prefix 'de-' + the verb 'westernize', where 'de-' meant 'remove' or 'reverse' and 'western' meant 'of the West'.
'dewesternize' was formed by adding the productive prefix 'de-' to 'westernize'. 'Westernize' itself comes from 'western' (from 'west' + adjectival suffix '-ern') + the verb-forming suffix '-ize'. 'West' ultimately derives from Old English 'west'.
Initially, 'westernize' meant 'to make or adopt Western characteristics'; by extension, 'dewesternize' came to mean 'to remove or reverse Westernizing influences' and retains that opposite sense in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
noun form: the process or result of dewesternizing; the reduction or removal of Western influence.
Dewesternization has become a topic of political debate in several countries.
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Verb 1
to remove or reduce Western characteristics, influence, practices, or institutions from (a country, culture, organization, etc.).
The new policies aim to dewesternize the education system and revive traditional curricula.
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Adjective 1
adjective form: having had Western characteristics reduced or removed; not Westernized.
They promoted dewesternized cultural programs to strengthen local identity.
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Last updated: 2026/01/11 16:05