CONTAMINATED Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

contaminated 1 of 2

adjective

kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnā-təd

Definition of contaminated

as in polluted

containing foreign or lower-grade substances the hospitals had no choice but to throw out the contaminated blood supply

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

contaminated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of contaminate

as in poisoned

to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable a supply of drinking water that was contaminated by a toxic waste dump

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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 contaminated

Adjective

The parasite infects food that has come into contact with human feces, most commonly when produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 The infection is caused by ingesting the microscopic cyclospora parasite, typically from contaminated food. — Bloomberg, Oc Register, 3 Aug. 2026

Verb

Public health experts have linked these health effects directly to exposure to contaminated water and air emanating from the pollution crisis, like the toxic foul-smelling gas hydrogen sulfide. — Samhita M Ilango, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 The product has the potential to be contaminated with listeria, the release said. — Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contaminated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminated

Adjective

The standard medical terms clinicians rely on may become distorted or polluted.

— Frank Naeymi-Rad, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
In 1990 the Missouri attorney general sued Industrial Wrecking for operating after its permit was suspended and allowing polluted water to flow into a drainage ditch.

— Jack Harvel August 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of polluted

Verb

Patterson was accused of pretending to eat the same portion, and of feigning illness in an elaborate ruse to suggest she’d also been poisoned.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
For decades, many speculated Taylor had been poisoned with arsenic, as his sudden death happened during an intense political crisis over slavery.

— Sophie Clausen, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of poisoned

Adjective

Chlorine bleach is made with diluted sodium hypochlorite, Linley McConnell, laundry and cleaning expert at Gibson’s Cleaners, explains.

— Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
For mild nausea, massage a few drops of diluted peppermint oil directly on the stomach.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of diluted

Adjective

Finally, the third recruits seaweed to gather minerals that are otherwise too dilute to chase.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
Clean and disinfect your pruning shears between working on each plant by dipping them into a dilute 10% solution of chlorine bleach water or rubbing alcohol.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Definition of dilute

Adjective

Salmonella outbreak linked to tainted jalapeños isn’t over The CDC reported more than 400 cases in 32 states, although the number of illnesses is likely to be much higher.

— Jane Weaver, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026
For example, malicious cyber-hackers seeking to wreak havoc could use AI to corrupt the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, creating dangerous, tainted drug products.

— Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of tainted

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contaminate

contaminated

contaminates

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“Contaminated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminated. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of contaminated

adjective

verb

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