as in contaminated
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1
as in polluted
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
supplies of meat that had been defiled by maggots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violated
to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect
art conservators were careful not to do anything that might defile the holy relic
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defiled
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Among the false claims Energy Transfer alleged Greenpeace had spread was that the energy company defiled Native American cultural boundaries.
—
Mark Curriden,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Mar. 2026
Militia members had ransacked and defiled the house.
—
Yousra Elbagir,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
As a state legislator, Lincoln stood against slave catchers backed by the federal government who defiled our state’s laws and terrorized our most vulnerable.
—
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
The work of love, and the question of what happens when love is absent or defiled, became a central preoccupation.
—
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Their beautiful sanctuary has been defiled, and Emily is fired.
—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
18 Dec. 2025
After occupying forces defiled the temple, a small army led by Judah the Maccabee liberated the sanctuary.
—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
10 Dec. 2025
After recapturing Jerusalem’s holy temple, which had been defiled by the occupiers, the Maccabees searched for pure oil to light the menorah.
—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
And earlier this month, Russia prompted outrage by installing an exhibit that some commentators said defiled the Katyn Memorial, the site of the mass execution of Polish POWs by the Soviets in 1940.
—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Among the false claims Energy Transfer alleged Greenpeace had spread was that the energy company defiled Native American cultural boundaries.
—
Mark Curriden,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Mar. 2026
Militia members had ransacked and defiled the house.
—
Yousra Elbagir,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
As a state legislator, Lincoln stood against slave catchers backed by the federal government who defiled our state’s laws and terrorized our most vulnerable.
—
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
The work of love, and the question of what happens when love is absent or defiled, became a central preoccupation.
—
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Their beautiful sanctuary has been defiled, and Emily is fired.
—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
18 Dec. 2025
After occupying forces defiled the temple, a small army led by Judah the Maccabee liberated the sanctuary.
—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
10 Dec. 2025
After recapturing Jerusalem’s holy temple, which had been defiled by the occupiers, the Maccabees searched for pure oil to light the menorah.
—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiled
Adjective
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Brushing with tap water is one of the easiest ways to swallow contaminated water without realizing it.
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No method is completely foolproof, so avoiding contaminated water remains the safest strategy.
Verb
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As a result, many people living near Mavecure have gotten out of gold mining, which polluted the jungle rivers with mercury and sediment, to work as tour guides, operate restaurants and hostels, or sell arts and crafts.
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At the latter, four local farmers show The Athletic water courses polluted with crude oil.
Verb
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But the court ruled in February that Republican counter plans violated a Utah referendum prohibiting gerrymandering, solidifying the single district centered on the increasingly liberal Salt Lake City.
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The crash was not an accident, Adams said, because Pino violated several navigational rules — and piloted the boat without thinking about the well-being of his wife, daughter and the 11 girls on the boat.
Adjective
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Gluba said the city has only confirmed two tainted copies of the guide, but is investigating the magnitude of the distribution.
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People can contract a diarrheal infection from tainted food or water, with symptoms most often beginning three to four days after contact with the bacteria.
Verb
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If a pet is poisoned by a cane toad, there are some warning signs.
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The summer blockbuster, which premieres June 26, 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).
Verb
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Those are the kinds of things that can't be broken into or taken away or desecrated.
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The mission also alleges that evidence was planted and bodies were desecrated.
Adjective
-
Wise’s wistful songwriting is retained, but completely missing is his intentionally impure palette.
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This is because they are often seen as ritually impure.
Adjective
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Health inspectors found rodent droppings under the soda fountain and unclean traps.
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The tooth of the table mounted can opener was unclean with old white debris.
Cite this Entry
“Defiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiled. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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