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
• distil
• 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 advisory had been in place since the morning of Aug. 11 after a fire hydrant was unexpectedly blown off the water line, potentially contaminating the water supply. —Jake Allen, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025

The expansion came after years of litigation and research into health effects tied to the U.S. Navy fuel release that contaminated drinking water systems serving homes on and near Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025

After the attack, the yogurt shop was burned down by the perpetrators, contaminating much of the evidence. —EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025

What is Legionnaires' disease? Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by consuming water contaminated with Legionella bacteria, according to the CDC. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!