cosmeticize

English

Alternative forms

• cosmeticise
• cosmetize

Etymology

cosmetic +‎ -ize

Verb

cosmeticize (third-person singular simple present cosmeticizes, present participle cosmeticizing, simple past and past participle cosmeticized)

1. To make attractive, to superficially improve the appearance of
   • 2000 January 7, Don Rose, “What a Whitewash”, in Chicago Reader‎^[1]:

     But to ignore or attempt to cosmeticize Kelly's history of political and institutional racism is a disgrace.

   • 1990 May 18, Albert Williams, “On Stage: LAPD's theater of the homeless”, in Chicago Reader‎^[2]:

     In our work, we don't try to cosmeticize anything.