CONTAMINATE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

contaminate

verb

kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnāt

Definition of contaminate

as in to pollute

to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable a supply of drinking water that was contaminated by a toxic waste dump

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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

Example 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 decision also followed a nearly $16 million fine issued by the state environmental department to the DOE for allegedly contaminating groundwater by failing to manage legacy radioactive waste. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Consumers are being urged to check their bathrooms after Kao USA voluntarily recalled select bottles of Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo because they may be contaminated with bacteria. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Intestinal infections, which caused severe diarrhea and dehydration, were common in 1776 because of poor sanitation and contaminated food and water, especially in military camps, per NIH and NLM. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 On June 3, TNVitamins recalled its Doctor's Pride Ultra Potent Complete Green Superfood Moringa Capsules because they were potentially contaminated with Salmonella, per the FDA. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for contaminate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminate

Verb

We’re paralyzed by whether a carbon-belching fossil fuel company’s right to pollute should outweigh the rest of the country’s right to clean air and a stable climate.

— Max Taves, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
Clara Benson, who is one of the founders of the No Big Bend Wall coalition, says bright lights in the area designed to illuminate the border could pollute the skies in an area renowned for having some of the best views of the stars.

— Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of pollute

Verb

The special bond between Supergirl and her scruffy animal sidekick becomes a key plot point in Kara’s new solo movie, where Krypto is poisoned by space outlaw Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts).

— Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Kara Zor-El (Alcock) goes on a planet-hopping mission to save her beloved Krypto – with young and vengeful girl Ruthye (Eve Ridley) in tow – after he’s poisoned by the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts).

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Definition of poison

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“Contaminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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