as in cleaning
to remove dirty or dangerous substances (such as radioactive material) from (a person, thing, place, etc.)
Special workers were called in to decontaminate the area after the oil spill.
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Recent Examples of decontaminating
Radiation protection personnel allegedly responded to the incident quickly, pulling the worker from the water and decontaminating him safely.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decontaminating
Verb
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From clever cleaning hacks to quick household fixes, this everyday appliance is a surprisingly helpful and versatile tool for a range of tasks.—
Kate Donovan,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
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Avoid using excessive amounts of water and harsh cleaners when cleaning since excess moisture and chemicals can warp the wood.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Solid helium flow is essential for purging the engines and pressurizing the fuel tanks.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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Heaters are keeping the Orion capsule warm atop the rocket, officials said, and rocket-purging systems are also being adapted to the cold.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Washington opted for dark elegance with a sweeping navy dress from the Italian house.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Store manager Mary Wiliams tells us what her customers are sweeping off the shelves right now.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decontaminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decontaminating. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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