SANITIZE Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

sanitize

verb

Definition of sanitize

as in to disinfect

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Dissimilar Words

as in to romanticize

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Dissimilar Words

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 sanitize Use a vinegar and water mix monthly to descale and sanitize the coffee maker. — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026 Their accessibility doesn’t diminish their heaviness or sanitize their songwriting. — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 Oct. 2026 Staff checked her temperature, asked her to show her tongue and instructed her to wear a mask, sanitize her hands and complete two questionnaires. — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026 What happened inside the city is the part no telling can sanitize. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sanitize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanitize

Verb

Neighbors stayed away until Ebola responders came to take the sick to a clinic and disinfect their house afterward.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Empty the water completely and thoroughly clean and disinfect your foot spa with soap and disinfectant after every use.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of disinfect

Verb

The comments section was flooded with Instagram users criticizing Hale and Harding for romanticizing their controversial Pretty Little Liars relationship.

— Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Oct. 2026
Bass responded by accusing her of romanticizing a chief who presided over the mistreatment of Black and Latino residents.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of romanticize

Verb

The protocol provides details on decontaminating clothing and equipment after caving.

— Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of decontaminate

Verb

Then focus on one process, real stakes and users who won’t sugarcoat it.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
But one of the few voices of reason, scientist Ganesh (Riz Ahmed, also one of the few performances allowed any nuance), speaks up to explain how that would set off a whole new chain of disasters, refusing to sugarcoat the awful truth for the public.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of sugarcoat

Verb

Xi had earlier purged two of China’s top generals, leaving Zhang as the commission’s only member besides Xi himself.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
The following decade, his Cultural Revolution violently sought to purge capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society and created a cult of personality around him.

— Tom Williams, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of purge

Verb

Adrià describes a world filtered through adolescence, where people, places and situations can appear idealized, magical or unsettling.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
Instead of idealizing the perfect breakthrough, climate technology must focus on ensuring its incredible solutions are also adoptable.

— Stéphane Germain, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of idealize

Verb

At London’s Clarify Clinics, founder Yael Cohen has developed the controversial Clari Procedure, a patented two-hour IV treatment that claims to purify the blood plasma.

— Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
BioFiltro, a company founded in Chile, puts red wigglers in a bed of chips to purify wastewater from dairy stalls.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of purify

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“Sanitize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanitize. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of sanitize

verb

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'Clean,' 'Sanitize,' or 'Disinfect'?

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Synonyms of sanitize

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to sanitize

'Clean,' 'Sanitize,' or 'Disinfect'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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Popular in Wordplay

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