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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 impurity The researchers note that developing robust pre-treatment systems will be vital, as everyday impurities can quickly poison and deactivate the sensitive metal catalyst. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026 For Hygiene and Disease Prevention Showering helps remove sweat, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities from the surface of your skin and hair, which can cause infections and irritations. — Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 15 July 2026 If supply were tightening, researchers would expect to see more impurities in the samples, because dealers would have a greater profit incentive to dilute their product with adulterants, Nabarun Dasgupta, the head of the lab, told me. — Marie-Rose Sheinerman, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 The sulfate-free formula washes off makeup and impurities without stripping away moisture. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 July 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
  • Some said our sampling would likely underestimate contamination on a property.
    — Cassandra Garibay, ProPublica, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Epidemiologists have to rely on patient interviews to determine a source of the contamination.
    — Bloomberg, Oc Register, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of contamination
Noun
  • 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
  • There are no great surprises from here on out, though the sheer, lusty grossness of the fallout is occasionally startling.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Definition of grossness
Noun
  • This dual-sided design enables the membrane to handle different contaminants while supporting more efficient desalination and oil separation.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Goals versus limits Federal drinking water standards involve two numbers for each contaminant.
    — Christine Kirchhoff, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
Definition of contaminant
Noun
  • The once-vaunted values of public life are now reduced to the lower standards of private life—venality, vulgarity, rudeness, incontinence, and ignorance.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • Benoit delights in language as much as her heroine, weaving Regency-era slang throughout and appending a chapter-by-chapter glossary of vulgarities.
    — Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Definition of vulgarity
Noun
  • Managing environmental pollutants is an increasingly complex practice, with new sources and pollutant types emerging all the time.
    — Richard Marcantonio, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
  • That has raised concerns that pollutants could spread if the debris is not properly sorted and disposed of.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 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 bucket quickly went viral for its not-safe-for-work suggestiveness.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • The other funnymen of the time—Milton Berle with his lewd suggestiveness, Jackie Gleason with his baleful roar—did the same shtick over and over.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of suggestiveness
Noun
  • But many seemingly urbane texts also benefited from the intellectual and moral coarseness of their times.
    — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The term plant texture refers to the fineness or coarseness, roughness or smoothness, heaviness or lightness of a particular plant.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of coarseness

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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 5 Aug. 2026.

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