Expurgate
/ˈekspərɡeɪt/
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Use
'Expurgate' was frequently used when censorship was common to align with moral standards. 
Historians study how textbooks were expurgated in different eras.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Sensitive
Use 'expurgate' when discussing changes that specifically remove offensive or harmful content. 
The director had to expurgate certain scenes for the movie to be allowed in cinemas.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Bowdlerize
Don't confuse 'expurgate' with 'bowdlerize'. 'Expurgate' is less about total removal and more about making acceptable. 
The publisher chose to expurgate, not bowdlerize, to retain the book's essence.