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Synonym Chooser

How is the word vitiate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of vitiate are corrupt, debase, debauch, deprave, and pervert. While all these words mean "to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character," vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.

a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

When can corrupt be used instead of vitiate?

In some situations, the words corrupt and vitiate are roughly equivalent. However, corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.

the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

When is it sensible to use debase instead of vitiate?

While the synonyms debase and vitiate are close in meaning, debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.

commercialism has debased the holiday

When would debauch be a good substitute for vitiate?

The synonyms debauch and vitiate are sometimes interchangeable, but debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.

the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew

When could deprave be used to replace vitiate?

The words deprave and vitiate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.

the claim that society is depraved by pornography

When might pervert be a better fit than vitiate?

The words pervert and vitiate can be used in similar contexts, but pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.

perverted the original goals of the institute

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 vitiate His lawyers contend the case was tainted by violations of Trump’s constitutional rights and that the verdict is vitiated by the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling. Kristine Gill, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2024 His lawyers contend that the case was tainted by violations of Trump’s constitutional rights and that the verdict is vitiated by the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling. Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024 His lawyers contend the case was tainted by violations of Trump's constitutional rights and that the verdict is vitiated by the Supreme Court's immunity ruling. CBS News, 3 Sep. 2024 The bill vitiates the existing legal agreements between the parties as to the calculation of re-setting of the ground lease rent and removes all leverage in negotiations. Anita W. Laremont, New York Daily News, 14 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for vitiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vitiate
Verb
  • The decision paves the way for Rose and Jackson — two of baseball’s greatest players whose legacies were tainted by gambling — to gain admittance to the Hall of Fame.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
  • The defense, however, could again argue that the jury was tainted to the point that an instruction won’t fix the problem.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • The Mavericks had a season marred by injuries and executed a trade that not only shocked the NBA but also enraged fans.
    Jason Jones, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • Finding an innovative, sustainable path to parity—without triggering the kind of prolonged labor disputes that have marred the sport’s past—will do far more for the game than any piece of equipment ever could.
    John Cairney, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Erebus is at risk of degrading due to strong currents.
    Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
  • Plus, this rash guard’s fabric blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays, though keep in mind that frequent laundering will degrade the UV-blocking ability over time.5 In general, it’s recommended that UPF clothing be replaced after 40-50 washes.
    Laura Lu, Parents, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Two people were injured and a dozen apartments left uninhabitable following an early morning fire Wednesday at a three-story apartment building, the second residential fire in Elgin in less than a week.
    Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • According to the Associated Press, no one was injured during the incident, citing court documents.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.
    Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • This includes adults who have weakened immune systems, cancer or other underlying health conditions, and some mental health conditions.
    Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Years later, the toxic chemicals have poisoned Hong-rang’s body.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 16 May 2025
  • And two, baking soda is an indiscriminate weed killer that poisons the soil.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025
  • Could this dialing back up be artificially controlled when the brain is too damaged to do so itself?
    Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vitiate. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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