STERILE Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

sterile

adjective

ˈster-əl

Definition of sterile

as in barren

not able to produce fruit or offspring sterile couples sometimes choose to adopt needy children the apple tree turned out to be sterile, never yielding a crop of apples

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sanitary

free from filth, infection, or dangers to health the hospitals in the war-torn city often lack necessary drugs and sterile surgical supplies

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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 sterile Talc litigation also shows why juries do not evaluate causation in a sterile scientific vacuum. — Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026 These conditions had much higher fatality rates in 1776 because Americans had no antibiotics, few vaccines, no understanding of germ theory, no sterile surgical techniques and limited access to hospitals, experts note. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 Officials will begin to release sterile male mosquitoes in Rosemont next week to reduce the spread of Aedes aegypti, a disease-carrying invasive mosquito, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District announced Wednesday. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was joined by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and other officials on Saturday, June 27, in Metapa, Mexico, to open a 22,000-square-foot facility capable of producing sterile flies to combat the parasitic fly. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sterile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sterile

Adjective

The fires eviscerated many of the plants and trees in and around the burn zones, leaving behind barren lots and charred swaths of parkland.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
There are quite a few interesting options this summer, especially compared to last year’s barren goalie landscape that was headlined by veteran backups.

— Jesse Granger, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Definition of barren

Adjective

The temporary power outage caused a sanitary sewer overflow on Patapsco Avenue, which was quickly slowed by DPW's Utility Maintenance Division, officials stated.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 June 2026
After all, there are so many basic areas to wipe down weekly just to keep your home organized and sanitary from the week's use.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 June 2026

Definition of sanitary

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stereotyping

sterile

sterility

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

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Synonyms of sterile

adjective

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