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
Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2026
Mercury exposure in humans, which can affect the brain, cardiovascular and nervous systems, often occurs through consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
Families have described contaminated food, lax education and inadequate medical care.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contaminated
Adjective
If exposed, find fresh air, rinse your eyes with room-temperature water for 10 to 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, and wash your body with soap and water.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2026
Mercury exposure in humans, which can affect the brain, cardiovascular and nervous systems, often occurs through consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
The dolls themselves were not contaminated with the drug, according to investigators, but the substance was found taped inside the back of the toy’s packaging.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
Families have described contaminated food, lax education and inadequate medical care.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contaminated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminated
Adjective
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Across the Northern Hemisphere, migratory fish such as salmon, sturgeon and shad have suffered major losses because rivers have been dammed and polluted, while many populations were heavily overfished.—
Zeb Hogan,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
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Bangladesh and Tajikistan were second and third on the most polluted list.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The new summer blockbuster will follow Supergirl's three-day mission to obtain a cure for her superdog and friend, Krypto, who is poisoned by villainous alien Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts).—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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That is, until Krypto is poisoned by the henchmen of villain Krem of the Yellow Hills, with only three days to save him.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In total, Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI and, at the time of the AI company’s restructuring in October, disclosed that its 27% diluted stake in the for-profit part of the organization was valued at $135 billion.—
Lora Kolodny,Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
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To prolong their lifespan, plastic cutting boards can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning; wooden ones can be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 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 case has it all — backroom deals, bribes, tainted legislation, dark money contributions — even the suicide of a prominent official at the center of the scandal.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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Those officers are no longer allowed to testify in criminal court cases because of their tainted reputation.—
Dave Savini,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contaminated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminated. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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