disinfect

verb

Definition of disinfectnext
as in to sanitize

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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 disinfect Dry the towels on medium heat or, if possible, line dry in sunlight to naturally disinfect and freshen the fabric. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026 Then remove goggles, head cover and respirator, disinfect the goggles, toss the respirator and wash hands again. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 Species that were able to digest phenol, a chemical used to disinfect the Iceman, have grown—despite the below-freezing temperatures that Ötzi is kept in. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 June 2026 Scientists found that some yeast species capable of breaking down phenol, a chemical used to disinfect the mummy after its discovery, have increased over time despite the freezing temperatures. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disinfect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disinfect
  1. sanitize
  2. decontaminate
  3. purify
  4. wipe
  5. purge
  6. scrub
  7. clean
  8. rinse
Verb
  • The agency advised retail delis to clean and sanitize their food and surfaces and to discard open deli products if the deli housed the headcheese.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
  • While younger generations were taught in school about the atrocities of the Holocaust, the book found that family lore continued to sanitize the past with grandparents often painted as heroes, rescuers or victims themselves.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
Definition of sanitize
Verb
  • The traditional boundaries between work and life dissolved as workers tried to maintain productivity through economic upheaval, all while decontaminating groceries and managing their children’s online classes.
    — Tess Lawrence, Harvard Business Review, 1 July 2026
  • The wire seals certify a vessel had either been decontaminated and inspected for invasive species or was last launched in the Lake Tahoe basin, agency officials said in a news release.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of decontaminate
Verb
  • And here, the researchers simply purified the translation machinery and supplied it to the SpudCells.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026
  • The disposable wand purifies red, white and sparkling wines while enhancing the natural taste, aroma and color of the wine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Definition of purify
Verb
  • Separate the jade plant from other plants so the pests won’t spread, then wipe the leaves with neem oil.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
  • Suppose a relatively small near-Earth object is speeding toward our planet, threatening to wipe the city of Dallas (whose population is over a million) off the map.
    — Govert Schilling, Scientific American, 27 June 2026
Definition of wipe
Verb
  • Doctors, following accepted practice, would likely have bled or purged an ill person for humoral balance.
    — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • Among those purged or forced to retire have been a chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of naval operations and the head of the Defense Health Agency.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Definition of purge
Verb
  • To clean your garbage disposal, Lane suggests starting by cleaning the rubber flaps by using dish soap and a brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the rubber flaps that line the disposal.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 July 2026
  • Was scrubbed from Friday because of bad weather in the launch recovery zone in the Atlantic.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Definition of scrub
Verb
  • Then, cleaning robots would handle waste detection and room upkeep using AI.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • As volunteers fanned out Sunday to clean debris from the beach, leaders blamed social media and out-of-state youths for fueling disorder and pledged a full post-holiday safety review.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of clean
Verb
  • Some physicians recommend washing your mouth out after use by gargling and rinsing your mouth with water.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Swirl the berries for about a minute, then rinse them for 30 seconds under cold water to remove the vinegar, and dry as directed above.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026
Definition of rinse

Browse Nearby Words

disinclined
disinfect
disinfectant
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of disinfect for Spanish Speakers

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