as in to clean
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 decontaminate
Two people were taken to the hospital and hundreds of employees at a medical technology company in North Canaan were decontaminated on Thursday when a suspicious package at the facility was found, prompting an investigation by state and federal authorities.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2025
This fungal tenaciousness makes C. auris extremely difficult to decontaminate when found in busy hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis clinics.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
Between 300 and 350 personnel at the facility were decontaminated as a precaution, officials said.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
A day earlier, sheriff’s officials sent an urgent message out to patrol cars, saying the air had become so toxic after days of wildfires that deputies should wear masks on the job and decontaminate their uniforms before stepping foot in their homes.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decontaminate
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2025
This fungal tenaciousness makes C. auris extremely difficult to decontaminate when found in busy hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis clinics.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
Between 300 and 350 personnel at the facility were decontaminated as a precaution, officials said.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
A day earlier, sheriff’s officials sent an urgent message out to patrol cars, saying the air had become so toxic after days of wildfires that deputies should wear masks on the job and decontaminate their uniforms before stepping foot in their homes.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decontaminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decontaminate
Verb
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Overloading the machine means the washer can't clean your clothes properly, and the dryer won't be able to generate air flow to dry clothes evenly.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
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Look for laptop stands made of alloys that are easy to clean and resist corrosion and pitting.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Mean Girls actor also discussed why wiping Belly’s mouth in such a sensual way wasn’t only risky because she’s set to marry his brother, but because his character also has a peach allergy.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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In one of the famous scenes from the book, written by Jenny Han, Conrad stops to get peaches for Belly and uses his t-shirt to wipe the juice off her face.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Bulimia nervosa is a cyclical condition in which someone binges and then compensates with purging behavior such as vomiting or taking laxatives, according to National Eating Disorders Association.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
30 July 2025
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But Jones was one of the first players new Raiders coach Pete Carroll purged right before OTAs opened, releasing the 27-year-old.—
Omar Kelly
July 28,
Miami Herald,
28 July 2025
Verb
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That open-ended directive, combined with weak internal safeguards, has led to sweeping off-site operations.—
Spencer Reynolds,
Time,
8 Aug. 2025
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Her signature blonde hair was swept into an effortless updo.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decontaminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decontaminate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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