adulterant

noun

adul·​ter·​ant ə-ˈdəl-t(ə-)rənt How to pronounce adulterant (audio)
: an adulterating substance or agent
adulterant adjective

Examples of adulterant in a Sentence

concerned about adulterants in the town's water supply coming from the discharge from the factory
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Other adulterants also pose potential risks, especially when consumed unknowingly. Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Some products have been found to have contaminants such as heavy metals, bacteria, or chemicals or adulterants not listed on the label. Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 21 July 2025 In recent years, illicit drugs in the US have been cut with some high-profile and dangerous adulterants, such as the powerful veterinary sedative xylazine (aka tranq) and the yet more powerful veterinary sedative medetomidine. ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025 Soon, Wiley was releasing regular bulletins on food adulterants and advocating for national laws. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 1 May 2025 Often, a patchwork of public health experts and harm-reduction groups help test samples and educate people about dangerous new adulterants cycling through local drug supplies. Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025 The latest adulterant to dominate the supply is medetomidine. Karen Alexander, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1755, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adulterant was circa 1755

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Cite this Entry

“Adulterant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adulterant. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

adulterant

noun
adul·​ter·​ant ə-ˈdəl-tə-rənt How to pronounce adulterant (audio)
: something used to adulterate another thing

Medical Definition

adulterant

noun
adul·​ter·​ant ə-ˈdəl-t(ə-)rənt How to pronounce adulterant (audio)
: an adulterating substance or agent
adulterant adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on adulterant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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