UNSTERILE Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

unsterile

adjective

Definition of unsterile

as in unsanitary

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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 unsterile There is also a risk that the contact lens and packing solution may become unsterile. — Yoni Heisler, BGR, 19 May 2021 Three former Fillakit employees said that its process was unsterile. — Ryan Gabrielson, ProPublica, 18 June 2020 Hale led a project focused on eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus, a deadly disease usually caused when the umbilical cord is cut with an unsterile instrument. — Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Aug. 2020 There have also been reports of black market silicone injections, which are done illegally and in typically unsterile environments – further increasing the risk for health problems. — Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsterile

Adjective

Epidemics, worsened by the unsanitary conditions caused by the mountains of garbage the government has stopped collecting, combine with the shortage of medicines and the dire state of medical facilities.

— Sarah Moreno July 1, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
According to investigators, the girl was found with severely matted hair and living in unsanitary conditions.

— Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Definition of unsanitary

Adjective

It can also be transmitted through sharing personal care items (like a razor or toothbrush) or getting a tattoo or piercing from unsterilized equipment.

— Julia Ries, SELF, 21 June 2023
The aim is to slow the spread of diseases like hepatitis C that can spread when inmates try to tattoo themselves or each other with unsterilized tools like electric motors and ballpoint pens and share contaminated needles.

— From USA TODAY Network and wire reports, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2022

Definition of unsterilized

Adjective

Employees were observed to only sanitize their gloved hands after touching insanitary surfaces and then resumed touching RTE food and various food contact surfaces.

— Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025
The company admitted that by January 2021 some employees were aware that the insanitary conditions were causing products to become contaminated.

— Kate Gibson, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2024

Definition of insanitary

Adjective

From shabby apartments to art experiments to filthy needles—with echoes of Patti Smith and Rebecca Makkai—Adler conjures an era of sorrow borne by too many, too young.

— Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
A week after Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, doctors warn untreated wounds, filthy shelters and scarce supplies are fueling a looming wave of infections that could claim more lives.

— Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of filthy

Adjective

Scabies, ringworm, rashes from numerous unknown sources and unwashed skin was wrapped in clothing of stiff linen, smelly woolens or coarse calico.

— Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Simple issues—such as unwashed hands, test strip problems, or incorrect meter use—can sometimes lead to inaccurate results.

— Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 30 June 2026

Definition of unwashed

Adjective

The life-threatening species that's found in water can also sicken or kill people who eat contaminated seafood, such as raw oysters infected with the bacteria.

— Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Every dollar a family spends on cancer treatment or a hospital stay tied to contaminated water is a dollar that better rules could have saved them.

— Alex Burton, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Definition of contaminated

Adjective

Despite the unclean baseball in the eighth, there were no shortage of excellent performances over the first seven innings.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
The police report said that a woman at the residence, who was suffering a deep cut on her wrist and multiple cuts to her hand, alleged to police Thorpe entered the residence and got upset with the unclean condition in the home, the outlets reported.

— Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Definition of unclean

Adjective

However, Strickland says a dirty filter or uncleaned condenser reduces your system's efficiency, which can raise energy bills.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026
Red chili peppers in a can on the bottom shelf of the prep table were left uncleaned.

— Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 27 Feb. 2026

Definition of uncleaned

Browse Nearby Words

unsteady

unsterile

unsterilized

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“Unsterile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsterile. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unsterile

adjective

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