disinfect

verb

Definition of disinfectnext
as in to sanitize

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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 disinfect Wash pruners or scissors with soap and water, then spray or wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol to disinfect them. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026 Instead, clean baths with a stiff brush and use a 1-part vinegar to 9-parts water solution to disinfect baths as required. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026 As a precaution, the city has ordered 76 buildings to clean, drain and disinfect their cooling towers while the investigation continues. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 19 July 2026 The workers must then disinfect the pipe with chlorine and test the water’s quality for safety. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for disinfect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disinfect
  1. sanitize
  2. decontaminate
  3. purify
  4. wipe
  5. purge
  6. scrub
  7. clean
  8. rinse
Verb
  • The restaurant was ordered to close immediately, clean and sanitize the kitchen and check for any points of entry for the insects.
    — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The recall announcement directed consumers to wash and sanitize any containers that may have come into contact with the affected product, and wash and sanitize hands and utensils that may have touched the product.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of sanitize
Verb
  • Those exhibiting suspicious symptoms had samples taken and sent to a laboratory for analysis, the ministry said on Saturday, adding that the vessel was also decontaminated.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Even considering the persistence and peril of anthrax, Stewart reckons that the British government did properly decontaminate the island.
    — RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of decontaminate
Verb
  • But what if the water and nutrients could be purified from whey permeate and used for other purposes?
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Once hydrogen is flowing from the ground, how will the gas be purified?
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of purify
Verb
  • An unmanaged shutdown of the Secuda coal-to-liquids plant operated by South African energy company Sasol could wipe $550 million off the country’s $400 billion economy and cost nearly 25,000 jobs, researchers said.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • To prevent moisture from seeping into the TV and causing damage, wipe the TV down one final time with a dry microfiber cloth.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of wipe
Verb
  • But both would purge the coterie of advisers around Zelensky, who many of the Ukrainian president’s critics believe are responsible for bad decisions, and whiff of corruption.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The states also want Meta to prevent children under 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram, delete personal information collected from those users and purge algorithms and artificial intelligence models trained on their data.
    — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of purge
Verb
  • Chang’e 7 was supposed to launch onboard a Long March 5 rocket on August 24, but the launch was scrubbed on Sunday evening, China’s Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said in a statement.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The subpoenas provide further evidence that the GTA 6 leaks are real, and that Take-Two is trying to crack down, forcing online platforms to scrub the information.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of scrub
Verb
  • Don’t forget to clean around HDMI and USB ports, as dust can drift inside them and cause serious damage.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Fortunately for Fields, Harrison Butker cleaned it up and made the field goal.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of clean
Verb
  • Lightly sand the handles of a pair of wood or bamboo salad servers, then rinse and dry them.
    — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Although invisible, the bacteria from your cleaning rag (for instance) can easily transfer to other surfaces, even after rinsing.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of rinse

Browse Nearby Words

disinclined
disinfect
disinfectant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disinfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disinfect. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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