sterilize

verb

Definition of sterilizenext
as in to alter

Related Words

Relevance

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 sterilize Many palms are declining due to diseases; sterilize pruners between palms to prevent the spread. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 Always sterilize your tools before pruning to prevent spreading diseases and avoid removing too many green leaves at once. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 26 June 2026 Boiling Clothes Won't Get Them Cleaner In the past, when options for doing laundry were more limited, boiling fabrics to sterilize and clean them was a common practice. — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026 Researchers raise the flies by the millions, sterilize the males with radiation, and release them in overwhelming numbers. — Ethan Stone, AZCentral.com, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sterilize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sterilize
  1. alter
  2. neuter
  3. castrate
  4. emasculate
  5. fix
Verb
  • In that scene, Rhys Harries impressively alters his own features without makeup.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Shorter days alter light exposure, which affects circadian rhythms, the internal biological processes that regulate sleep, alertness and mood.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of alter
Verb
  • With a run game neutered by a stout Auburn front, the game was on his shoulders.
    — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • On the chance Prop 40 passes, Prop 42 also effectively neuters the other measure by preventing any new retroactive tax, as 40 does.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of neuter
Verb
  • This is the league, remember, where a man (Harvey Updyke) confessed to poisoning the trees at Auburn on a radio show after Alabama lost to the Tigers, and a coach (Jackie Sherrill at Mississippi State) castrated a bull to motivate his squad.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Those expectations got castrated because of last season’s early struggles.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of castrate
Verb
  • Under Republican control, the House of Representatives has been emasculated.
    — Linh Tat, Oc Register, 5 May 2026
  • No matter what agenda the president espoused—the economic pragmatism of Rafsanjani, the liberal aspirations of Mohammad Khatami, the populist provocations of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the nuclear diplomacy of Hassan Rouhani—Khamenei emasculated him.
    — Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
Definition of emasculate
Verb
  • And while Buffalo and Jacksonville can use the break to rest and recharge, fans in Washington and Los Angeles are hoping a week away might somehow fix what’s gone wrong.
    — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Tyler is still on the hook to help fix outstanding problems at the treasurer’s office involving property tax revenue payouts and distribution reports to local governments across the county, and pay out refunds to taxpayers.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fix

Browse Nearby Words

sterility
sterilize
sterilized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sterilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sterilize. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of emissary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All