as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
the outbreak of food poisoning was traced to adulterated ground beef
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in diluted
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
the company was fined for adulterating its "all beef" frankfurters with cereal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adulterated
chicagotribune.com,
9 Dec. 2021
Navarro and Rhein pleaded guilty to their roles in the distribution of adulterated and misbranded drugs.
—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
11 Aug. 2021
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Fruits, leafy greens and other produce can become adulterated with listeria through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of said growing area to livestock, USA TODAY previously reported.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adulterated
Adjective
Brasch, 61, of Skokie, is specifically charged with receipt in interstate commerce and delivery of an adulterated device, the release said.
—
chicagotribune.com,
9 Dec. 2021
Navarro and Rhein pleaded guilty to their roles in the distribution of adulterated and misbranded drugs.
—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
11 Aug. 2021
Verb
Naloxone, the active drug in Narcan, is only effective on opioids and not on stimulants like cocaine, which would suggest the substance Dick used was adulterated with an opiate such as fentanyl.
—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Fruits, leafy greens and other produce can become adulterated with listeria through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of said growing area to livestock, USA TODAY previously reported.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adulterated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adulterated
Adjective
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Even then, after days of heavy rain, polluted lagoon water lapped at the edges of the city.
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There, Marlon must cross the polluted waters of the festering Guanabara Bay in search of a former commander turned messianic cult leader to stop the spread of their paramilitary group.
Verb
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The federal lawsuit, filed in September of 2024, alleged that the 2022 DeSoto County electoral map diluted Black voting power in county office elections.
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In conversations about culture, creativity and innovation, Black American contributions are often celebrated while simultaneously being misunderstood, diluted or folded into broader categories that fail to acknowledge their distinct roots.
Adjective
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Brushing with tap water is one of the easiest ways to swallow contaminated water without realizing it.
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No method is completely foolproof, so avoiding contaminated water remains the safest strategy.
Adjective
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But dwarf galaxies are smaller and colder, with more dilute and slower-moving matter.
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Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
Adjective
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Gluba said the city has only confirmed two tainted copies of the guide, but is investigating the magnitude of the distribution.
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People can contract a diarrheal infection from tainted food or water, with symptoms most often beginning three to four days after contact with the bacteria.
Adjective
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Having mixed roots himself—his mother came from a Catholic background while his father was Protestant—Rembrandt was likely especially sensitive to sectarian conflict that was raging at the time.
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Attendees of the council meeting on Thursday night had a mixed reaction to the vote.
Adjective
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Through initiatives such as the UN Global Compact CFO Coalition for the SDGs, companies, governments, development finance institutions and investors are increasingly working together to move blended finance from fragmented, bespoke transactions toward more practical, scalable models.
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There are also more blended beverages hitting the menu starting July 14, including new Blended Energy Refreshers -- featuring Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade and Mango Strawberry Lemonade flavors -- as well as a Blended Pink Energy Drink.
Cite this Entry
“Adulterated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adulterated. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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