1
as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
be careful, because impure motor oil can damage your car's engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vulgar
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
Victorian notions of what qualified as impure art now strike us as laughable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of impure
This anti-establishment mindset translates to denim with dirty shades of indigo, impure neutrals and green casts, accented with pops of fiery red and pale yellow.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 May 2025
According to some Buddhist scriptures, during Maya’s pregnancy the future Buddha never actually touched her womb, which was considered impure in early Indian Buddhism.
—Megan Bryson, The Conversation, 6 May 2025
Farmers or middlemen also frequently adulterated milk, watering it down to stretch supplies—with impure water likely to introduce further pathogens—or adding toxic substances, like formaldehyde or chalk, meant to conceal spoilage or make milk appear whiter.
— Made By History, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
What was considered holy at one time was considered impure in other epochs.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impure
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 May 2025
According to some Buddhist scriptures, during Maya’s pregnancy the future Buddha never actually touched her womb, which was considered impure in early Indian Buddhism.
—Megan Bryson, The Conversation, 6 May 2025
Farmers or middlemen also frequently adulterated milk, watering it down to stretch supplies—with impure water likely to introduce further pathogens—or adding toxic substances, like formaldehyde or chalk, meant to conceal spoilage or make milk appear whiter.
— Made By History, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
What was considered holy at one time was considered impure in other epochs.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impure
Adjective
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Authorities add that polluted water, marine debris, and unstable cliffs may also pose hazards, according to a webpage from the National Park Service (NPS).—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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But perhaps most significantly, these changes may be linked to cyanobacteria, toxic microbes often found in polluted waters.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The president has been targeting Jeffries online with offensive and vulgar memes since the pair first had an unsuccessful sit-down meeting in the Oval Office just before the shutdown.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
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One room cracked up at a vulgar joke about a woman’s behind, while another went for an outrageous and surreal midfilm montage — but each bit was made genuinely funnier by the dozens of people gasping and wheezing over it.—
Robert Rubsam,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There are systems in place to help address the issue of contaminated medications.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
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Consumers who have received the affected HelloFresh meals are urged not to consume the contaminated product and to throw them away immediately.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This culture is incredibly cruel, and things have gotten really obscene.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
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In 2009, former Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a Buffalo Bills fan.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
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For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering.—
Robert F. Service,
Science | AAAS,
3 Sep. 2020
Adjective
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OpenAI included numerous guardrails with Sora, including moderation, restrictions on scammy, violent and pornographic material, watermarks and controls over how one's likeness is used.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
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Some states have instituted requirements for websites with adult or pornographic content to verify visitors' age before granting access, although tech experts have pointed out VPNs can be used to get around those guardrails.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Spray the door generously with cleaner or use a microfiber cloth to wet the door with the diluted vinegar mixture.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 Sep. 2025
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Too many companies try to achieve a laundry list of objectives, resulting in a diluted and less-effective program.—
Erika Andersson,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Other signs to look for are floating debris, rust, mildew, or foul odors.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
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The second-year coach appeared to be confused after the foul call before exiting the court and heading into the locker room tunnel.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impure. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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