Synonyms of adulterant

adulterant

noun

ə-ˈdəl-t(ə-)rənt 

as in contamination

something that is or that makes impure

concerned about adulterants in the town's water supply coming from the discharge from the factory

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contamination
• contaminant
• pollutant
• defect
• impurity
• sludge
• irregularity
• stain
• soil
• taint
• dirt
• spot
• defilement
• abnormality
• fault
• blot
• muck
• filth
• flaw
• blotch
• scum
• smut
• imperfection
• blemish
• grime
• disfigurement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• filter
• refiner
• purifier
• purity
• clarifier
• cleanliness
• immaculateness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of adulterant

In a letter reviewed by CBS News, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said that agency funding cannot be used to purchase test strips used to check drugs for dangerous adulterants like fentanyl, xylazine and medetomidine. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Like many bath salts, NEP was often sold as Ecstasy or added to other drugs as an adulterant. — Jonathan Corum, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026

Plenty of coffee drinkers enjoy medium or dark roasts, which tend to pair well with milk and other adulterants. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025

Other adulterants also pose potential risks, especially when consumed unknowingly. — Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025