as in pollutes
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
the pharmacist was convicted of diluting prescription drugs in order to increase profits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of dilutes
The plans allow existing stockholders to buy shares at a steep discount, which dilutes the value and voting power of new share purchases.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
While most vegetables contain 80 to 90 percent water, overwatering adds too much moisture and dilutes the flavor of the harvest.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
Emma Basch, PsyD, a clinical psychologist, agrees, expressing concern that tying self-care to allowance dilutes the concept and does not help kids internalize that caring for themselves is not a job they will ever be paid for, but a way of showing themselves respect and care.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
The judge said one district dilutes the votes of Blacks and Latinos.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2026
Democrats have pointed to these facts as evidence that the map dilutes the voting power of minorities and may even be an intentional racial gerrymander.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 8 Dec. 2025
The decision notably makes no ruling on the constitutionality of the redistricting, leaving the question unresolved as to whether the new map unfairly dilutes the power of Black and Latino voters.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
So drinking lemon water increases your urine volume and dilutes stone-forming substances.
—Ana Morales, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025
The commentary onslaught dilutes that.
—Mara Reinstein, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
While most vegetables contain 80 to 90 percent water, overwatering adds too much moisture and dilutes the flavor of the harvest.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
Emma Basch, PsyD, a clinical psychologist, agrees, expressing concern that tying self-care to allowance dilutes the concept and does not help kids internalize that caring for themselves is not a job they will ever be paid for, but a way of showing themselves respect and care.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
The judge said one district dilutes the votes of Blacks and Latinos.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2026
Democrats have pointed to these facts as evidence that the map dilutes the voting power of minorities and may even be an intentional racial gerrymander.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 8 Dec. 2025
The decision notably makes no ruling on the constitutionality of the redistricting, leaving the question unresolved as to whether the new map unfairly dilutes the power of Black and Latino voters.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
So drinking lemon water increases your urine volume and dilutes stone-forming substances.
—Ana Morales, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025
The commentary onslaught dilutes that.
—Mara Reinstein, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilutes
Verb
-
Fertilizer runoff pollutes water sources and fuels toxic algae blooms.—
Frank Morris,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
-
As my colleague Iris Kwok explains, that’s due to the state’s higher taxes and stricter requirements for cleaner, more expensive gas that pollutes.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That limits air movement, reduces water infiltration, restricts root growth, and weakens biological activity.—
Dr. Avishesh Neupane,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
-
By Thursday night, geomagnetic activity weakens and retreats north, making aurora visibility in Iowa unlikely or very limited.—
Cooper Worth,
Des Moines Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The island, where Iran loads nearly all its oil exports, is seen as a potential target if Washington decides to hit Iranian energy or to use ground troops to seize it.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
-
While trees — oak, birch, maple — dominate early spring, grass pollen often overlaps in late spring from May to June, leading to higher, more intense allergy loads for sufferers.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The former is caused by bacteria that infects the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to inflammation.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Mumps infects the salivary glands below the ears.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Rangers will need to carry Baumler on the major league roster for the entire season, or send him back to the Baltimore Orioles, which thins some of their flexibility.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
And over time, the barrage will likely become less effective and more deadly to civilians – as the target list thins out and the items the Americans and Israelis need to hit become more enmeshed in civilian life.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the core allegation cuts deeper than fees.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The vote, on a proposal that requires a driver’s license or comparable ID to cast a ballot in federal elections, represents the latest attempt by Republicans to divide Democrats on a subject that cuts decidedly in their favor.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Reinhart’s Apple is a deliciously deadly mystery wrapped in sequins and pure unadulterated attitude, as Tung’s Pumpkin subtly manipulates the group to get to the bottom of a past incident that weighs on her personally, despite her new friends being oblivious to her true identity.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The film is being released as newsrooms shrink, the mainstream media consolidates and social media manipulates the meaning of truth.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sensing Scarlet’s resolve to destroy him, Claudius poisons her.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dilutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilutes. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
