Synonyms of contaminate

contaminate

verb

kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnāt 

as in to pollute

to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable

a supply of drinking water that was contaminated by a toxic waste dump

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pollute
• poison
• taint
• infect
• defile
• befoul
• soil
• dirty
• foul
• sully
• dilute
• besmirch
• stain
• smudge
• adulterate
• rot
• muddy
• blacken
• spoil
• corrupt
• foul up
• mire
• smirch
• water down
• grime
• begrime
• doctor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purify
• clean
• clarify
• cleanse
• purge
• clear
• decontaminate
• distill
• filter
• sterilize
• disinfect
• sanitize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb contaminate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of contaminate are defile, pollute, and taint. While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

water contaminated by industrial wastes

When can defile be used instead of contaminate?

Although the words defile and contaminate have much in common, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration.

defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

When is pollute a more appropriate choice than contaminate?

The synonyms pollute and contaminate are sometimes interchangeable, but pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy.

the polluted waters of the river

When is it sensible to use taint instead of contaminate?

The words taint and contaminate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

tainted meat

a politician's tainted reputation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contaminate

The Food and Drug Administration—which is conducting traceback investigations to identify foods contaminated with the parasite—has not updated its outbreak investigation page since July 24, nearly two weeks ago, as of publication time. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026

Field produce can be contaminated by people who carry cyclospora and who may not be able to practice good hygiene. — Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite that can contaminate fresh food or water and lead to severe diarrhea in those infected. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

The parasite Cyclospora makes its way into the human digestive system in food or water contaminated with human waste. — Maria Godoy, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

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