Synonyms of contaminates

contaminates

verb

present tense third-person singular of contaminate

as in pollutes

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

• pollutes
• poisons
• taints
• defiles
• infects
• befouls
• soils
• dirties
• fouls
• sullies
• stains
• smudges
• dilutes
• besmirches
• adulterates
• corrupts
• rots
• blackens
• muddies
• mires
• fouls up
• spoils
• waters down
• grimes
• begrimes
• smirches
• doctors

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purifies
• cleans
• clarifies
• cleanses
• clears
• purges
• decontaminates
• distills
• filters
• distils
• sterilizes
• disinfects
• sanitizes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contaminates

Untreated nitrogen often contaminates groundwater and causes algal blooms that damage ecosystems. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2025

Leached water from textile waste in landfills contaminates groundwater with harmful chemicals and dyes, which can alter the pH and clarity of surface water. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Aug. 2025

Utilities must have a plan in place to address instances when coal ash contaminates groundwater and make sure the contamination does not spread, according to federal requirements. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 5 Aug. 2025