as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
the hospitals had no choice but to throw out the contaminated blood supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in poisoned
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contaminated
Karina Nicholas, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
As Thanksgiving is upon us, millions of Americans are getting ready to cook mountains of food and trying new recipes, but beware, as food recalls for contaminated products are currently underway.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 Nov. 2025
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The Daniel’s Mill project is a part of the Rockville Mill Complex project, which is a remediation and renovation project to repurpose and reuse contaminated 19th century textile mills for the 21st Century.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contaminated
Adjective
Simple, inexpensive steps — washing hands, replacing contaminated curtains, removing unnecessary devices — have proven track records of reducing infections, saving lives and lowering costs.
—Karina Nicholas, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
As Thanksgiving is upon us, millions of Americans are getting ready to cook mountains of food and trying new recipes, but beware, as food recalls for contaminated products are currently underway.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
The North and Baltic Seas are contaminated with MRI contrast agents.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The Daniel’s Mill project is a part of the Rockville Mill Complex project, which is a remediation and renovation project to repurpose and reuse contaminated 19th century textile mills for the 21st Century.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contaminated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminated
Adjective
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The grants are expected to help clean up 75 acres of polluted lands and create 1,500 housing units, in addition to new school spaces and commercial areas.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
-
As to the environment, white phosphorus destroyed fruit, vegetable and olive harvests, burned agricultural lands and left them polluted.—
Josiane Yazbeck,
The Conversation,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors allege Richins poisoned her husband with a cocktail laced with illicit fentanyl while the couple was celebrating at their home in March 2022.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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In early 2025, Milwaukee discovered that lead paint had poisoned at least four students in its public schools.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Fill a spray bottle with a diluted mix of lemon juice or with 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
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Wait until active new growth restarts—after the cactus has dropped all its flowers—then restart the feeding routine of a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer and keep it up through spring and summer.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
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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The severity of the damage usually depends on how much of the tainted gas drivers pumped, Inslee said.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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Top Edge Automotive mechanics say removing the tainted gas will cost drivers thousands, but recommend getting an expert to fix it.—
January 9,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contaminated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminated. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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