bactericidal
adjective
bac·te·ri·cid·al
bak-ˌtir-ə-ˈsī-dᵊl 
variants
or less commonly bacteriocidal
: destroying bacteria
Examples of bactericidal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The evidence for acne is also reasonably consistent, particularly for combination blue- and red-light protocols, where the bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects appear to be additive.
—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cicadas, dragonflies and many other flying insects have similar wing surfaces that are naturally bactericidal, meaning bacteria killing.
—
Ashok Prasad,
The Conversation,
26 June 2023
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical bactericidal agent that’s found in many over-the-counter and prescription acne medications.
—
Kaitlyn Pirie,
Good Housekeeping,
28 Oct. 2021
Other critics saw his investigations as superfluous, considering that knowledge of the bactericidal effects of UV light had been known for decades.
—
Allison Marsh,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Aug. 2020
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Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cicadas, dragonflies and many other flying insects have similar wing surfaces that are naturally bactericidal, meaning bacteria killing.
—
Ashok Prasad,
The Conversation,
26 June 2023
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical bactericidal agent that’s found in many over-the-counter and prescription acne medications.
—
Kaitlyn Pirie,
Good Housekeeping,
28 Oct. 2021
Other critics saw his investigations as superfluous, considering that knowledge of the bactericidal effects of UV light had been known for decades.
—
Allison Marsh,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Aug. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Bactericidal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bactericidal. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bactericidal
adjective
bac·te·ri·cid·al
bak-ˌtir-ə-ˈsīd-ᵊl
variants
also bacteriocidal
: destroying bacteria
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