defilements

Definition of defilementsnext
plural of defilement
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

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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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defilements
Noun
  • Many samples taken from incoming mail have contaminants on the paper or in the ink, Walsh said.
    Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Initiating this process could lead to further regulation and limits on the contaminants.
    Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Research shows the area releases millions of particles, aerosols and molecules of dangerous pollutants into the air — including hydrogen sulfide, which has twice spiked to record levels in the last two weeks, according to data from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.
    Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Authorities ordered the evacuation of all personnel and said any potential pollutants don’t pose a risk to nearby cities, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
    Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Will the agency adopt the model of personal injury attorneys and serial plaintiffs who have abused the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Unruh Civil Rights Act to shake down unsuspecting business owners for purely technical violations of the law?
    Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Authorities said the suspect was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility and charged with first- and second-degree murder, assault and handgun violations.
    Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Seawater is forced at high pressure through a semi-permeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass through while blocking most salts and other impurities.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Yellowcake is a concentrated form of uranium after impurities are removed from the raw ore.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Defilements.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defilements. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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