What does contaminate mean?
Contaminate means (transitive) To make something dangerous or toxic by introducing impurities or foreign matter..
Contaminate
/kənˈtæmɪneɪt/ · verb
Meaning
(transitive) To make something dangerous or toxic by introducing impurities or foreign matter..
Definitions by Sense
- (transitive) To make something dangerous or toxic by introducing impurities or foreign matter.
- (transitive) To soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association.
- (transitive) To make unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements.
- (transitive) To infect, usually of a deadly virus.
- (used as a participle) Contaminated.
- (figuratively) Dirty, sinful, wicked, gross, etc.
Example Sentences
This water is contaminated. It isn't safe to drink.
Bombs and munitions meanwhile contain toxic substances that contaminate soil, water, and vegetation.
Shall we now Contaminate our figures with base bribes?
I would neither have simplicity imposed upon, nor virtue contaminated.
[Martin] Heidegger's repellent political beliefs do not contaminate his philosophical work.
Do not contaminate the peanut butter with the jelly.
And that this body conſecrate to thee, By Ruffian Luſt ſhould be contaminate!
Synonyms for contaminate
Antonyms for contaminate
Related Words
Word Forms
- contaminates
- contaminating
- contaminated
- more contaminate
- most contaminate
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for contaminate?
Common synonyms include poison, pollute, taint, defile.
What is the opposite of contaminate?
Possible antonyms include decontaminate.
How do you use contaminate in a sentence?
This water is contaminated. It isn't safe to drink.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.