1
as in corruptions
an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things
for two centuries the Christian monasteries in England suffered defilements at the hands of Viking invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contaminants
something that is or that makes impure
souvenir shops, observation towers, and other tacky defilements on Civil War battlefields that should be considered hallowed ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defilements
Noun
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Dirty oil contains acids, moisture, soot, and other contaminants that can etch and damage metal components, cause rust, and corrode the engine.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2026 -
The contaminants, toxicity and people responsible were often unknown.—
James Salzman,
The Conversation,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Semiconductor manufacturing requires huge amounts of ultra-clean water to rinse residue from silicon chips during the fabrication process, resulting in wastewater that contains pollutants, including heavy metals, which can be toxic to aquatic ecosystems and humans.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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Now, its ability to do that for many air pollutants is under threat.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There hasn’t been a municipal court determination, no dangerous animal designations or violations, nor citations against her or Oakley, Skelton said.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
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The city’s suit alleges seven causes of action against the defendants, including trespass, public nuisance and several violations of the Administrative Procedures Act.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Micellar water Many makeup remover wipes feature micellar water, which helps draw out oil, dirt and impurities without overdrying your skin.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2026
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Skinfix’s coconut oil and colloidal oatmeal one removes impurities without stripping the skin on your face and body.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
30 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Defilements.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defilements. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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