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impure

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpyu̇r How to pronounce impure (audio)
Definition of impurenext
1
as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances be careful, because impure motor oil can damage your car's engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vulgar
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society Victorian notions of what qualified as impure art now strike us as laughable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 impure Curtain calls In 1900, more than 6,000 people in England were poisoned by beer that had been brewed using impure sulfuric acid containing arsenic. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 This method combines impure raw silicon with pure aluminum, lowering the melting temperature compared to conventional polysilicon production. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2025 Women who are menstruating are traditionally not allowed to enter temple grounds, as it's considered impure in Balinese Hinduism. — Zahra Surya Darma, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 July 2025 The trash is heated to break it into crude, impure syngas, which is then zapped with plasma torches to further refine it. — IEEE Spectrum, 22 Nov. 2011 See All Example Sentences for impure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impure
  1. polluted
  2. vulgar
  3. contaminated
  4. obscene
  5. dilute
  6. pornographic
  7. diluted
  8. foul
Adjective
  • Ambulances won’t come to the neighborhood anymore, and the city doesn’t respond to complaints about the polluted water for days, maybe weeks.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
  • This is where studying microbes that already live in polluted environments gives us an advantage.
    — Catherine Armbruster, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of polluted
Adjective
  • Despite their pointy protrusions, the sculptures are not spiky enough to leave a mark; and despite their flirtations with touchy subject matter, none of the works—not even the 9/11 ones—are vulgar enough to get Wolfson in hot water.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • But Trump’s obsession with these vulgar memorials to his own vanity is a reminder of the darkness around him, of his hostility to democracy, his loathing of honor, and his disordered mind.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of vulgar
Adjective
  • The arbitrator also concluded that neither the ITIA nor the WTA Tour had a duty to warn players about contaminated meat.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Raw chicken juice cross-contaminated onto raw squid when an employee stacked a container of raw chicken on top of the squid container.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of contaminated
Adjective
  • Current Florida law says a school district can review and remove a book after a complaint has been made that a book is pornographic, obscene or isn’t age appropriate.
    — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Created under O’Hare’s leadership, the decorum policy prohibits personal attacks, impertinent, profane, obscene, or slanderous remarks as well as threatening, disruptive or unruly behavior.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • Finally, the third recruits seaweed to gather minerals that are otherwise too dilute to chase.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
  • Clean and disinfect your pruning shears between working on each plant by dipping them into a dilute 10% solution of chlorine bleach water or rubbing alcohol.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Definition of dilute
Adjective
  • Current Florida law says a school district can review and remove a book after a complaint has been made that a book is pornographic, obscene or isn’t age appropriate.
    — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The teacher admitted to having inappropriate conversations and sending pornographic videos to the former student.
    — Christian Cervantes, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of pornographic
Adjective
  • Use a dry microfiber cloth for routine cleaning, and diluted dish soap or white vinegar to remove more stubborn, sticky film.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2026
  • That framing, blanket as functional substitute rather than diluted imitation, is what researchers need before designing longer trials.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of diluted
Adjective
  • Redness, open sores, discharge, foul-smelling ears, lumps or recurring skin issues all warrant a vet visit, not a grooming session.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Redness, sores, unusual discharge, foul-smelling ears or lumps should all go to a vet rather than a home grooming session.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of foul

Browse Nearby Words

impunity
impure
impurely
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Cite this Entry

“Impure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impure. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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