impurity

noun

(ˌ)im-ˈpyu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce impurity (audio)
Definition of impuritynext
1
as in contamination
something that is or that makes impure impurities in the water made it cloudy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grossness
the quality or state of being obscene the impurity of her thoughts was troubling, given her strict upbringing

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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 impurity To keep the green transition moving, miners are turning to complex ores laced with high concentrations of toxic impurities. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026 Derms love La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser and CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser; both formulas are super gentle but still remove SPF, makeup, and other impurities. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 16 Oct. 2026 Ukrainian strikes have also increasingly targeted the more complex equipment that removes impurities from fuel, which takes months to repair. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 My father would rinse the rice over and over, sifting it between his fingertips, searching for the impurities, pulling them out. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impurity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impurity
  1. contamination
  2. grossness
  3. contaminant
  4. vulgarity
  5. pollutant
  6. crudeness
  7. suggestiveness
  8. coarseness
Noun
  • During Tuesday's news conference, Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center State Director Jennette Gayer said contamination is widespread.
    — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Possible risks include contamination, allergic reactions and tumor growth, according to the FDA.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of contamination
Noun
  • But Paddy’s isn’t Sudz, and the Gang’s efforts to soft-pedal their antics to be more in line with those mainstream bars devolved into typical Sunny-style hostility and off-putting grossness.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
  • All your Dad has to do is fill it and drink—the microfilter membrane will do the rest by removing chlorine odors, dirt, bacteria, and any other grossness floating around in there.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
Definition of grossness
Noun
  • Smelters reject or penalize this dangerous contaminant, forcing miners to destroy it using energy-intensive, high-emission furnaces.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Toxicology testing also revealed that Jackie had environmental contaminants and traces of a rodenticide called brodifacoum in her liver.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of contaminant
Noun
  • Lower courts upheld the ban, finding the veiled vulgarity of the phrase allows schools to ban it.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The diaries—particularly in Julian Sachs’s unexpurgated version, which captures Pavese’s alternating earnestness, archness, and pungent vulgarity—pose something of a problem.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of vulgarity
Noun
  • The city said in a statement that the concentration of pollutants averaged 196 micrograms per cubic meter, which is considered an unhealthy level way above the normal range of about 3 to 9.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • If approved, the permit will also require monitoring of the water flow, temperature, present or expected pollutants in the sourcewater, expected pollutants in the wastewater, and additional pollutants associated with steam electric power generation.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of pollutant
Noun
  • There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.
    — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 4 Aug. 2025
Definition of crudeness
Noun
  • The Averys also lack the deep, metaphysical suggestiveness of the Gottliebs.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The bucket quickly went viral for its not-safe-for-work suggestiveness.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of suggestiveness
Noun
  • Most denim blends using hemp only include 20 or 30 percent of the fiber due to its coarseness.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But many seemingly urbane texts also benefited from the intellectual and moral coarseness of their times.
    — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of coarseness

Browse Nearby Words

impurities
impurity
imputation
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Cite this Entry

“Impurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impurity. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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