CONTAMINATE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

contaminate

verb

kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnāt

Definition of contaminate next

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

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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

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.

Recent Examples of contaminate Check if your water has been tested If your community has water contaminated by PFAS chemicals, drinking water could be your main source of exposure. —

Mara Hoplamazian, NPR, 2 June 2026 Even when an egg is contaminated before the shell forms, the overall risk to consumers remains relatively low, Detweiler and Schaffner said. —

Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026 Infection can happen when someone accidentally swallows contaminated water from pools, splashpads, lakes, or rivers. —

Justin Laube, EverydayHealth.com, 1 June 2026 One very rare risk is Naegleria fowleri, which can infect people when contaminated warm freshwater enters the nose—not from swallowing water. —

Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for contaminate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminate

Verb

But across Oklahoma, the fluid is spreading uncontrollably belowground, blasting out of old, unplugged wells, polluting land and contaminating drinking water.

— Katie Campbell, ProPublica, 2 June 2026
The city had rezoned the area allowing polluting heavy industry to proliferate the community.

— Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026