Synonym Chooser

How does the verb contaminate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of contaminate are defile, pollute, and taint. While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

water contaminated by industrial wastes

When can defile be used instead of contaminate?

Although the words defile and contaminate have much in common, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration.

defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

When is pollute a more appropriate choice than contaminate?

The synonyms pollute and contaminate are sometimes interchangeable, but pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy.

the polluted waters of the river

When is it sensible to use taint instead of contaminate?

The words taint and contaminate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

tainted meat
a politician's tainted reputation

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contaminate The unauthorized discharge of uncured geopolymer mortar killed more than 150 fish and contaminated Cuff Brook. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2025 The frozen toaster waffle, Belgian waffle and pancake products are being recalled due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Sophie Clark, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 Examples of people most at risk are those who eat a serving or two of fish a week from a lake or pond contaminated by farm runoff, or people who drink at least a quart of milk a day from cows raised on pastures that use sewage sludge, according to the EPA’s draft risk assessment. Jen Christensen, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025 Rodents can carry diseases like Hantavirus and Salmonella, which can be transmitted to humans through droppings or contaminated food. Amplified Content Studio, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for contaminate 

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Thesaurus Entries Near contaminate

Cite this Entry

“Contaminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contaminate

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