contaminated
Polluted by contact
Contaminated describes something made impure or unsafe by the introduction of unwanted substances.
Water becomes contaminated when pollutants enter it; food becomes contaminated with bacteria.
The word extends beyond physical impurity: contaminated evidence has been compromised by mishandling, and contaminated data contains errors that undermine its reliability.
The past participle of contaminate, it functions as both verb form and adjective.
Contaminated, made impure
- spoiledRuined or overindulged
- impureNot wholly clean
- compromisedMade vulnerable to harm
- unsafeLikely to cause harm
diluted · mixed · cut · fraudulent · mislabeled · recalled · unfit · substandard
Made vulnerable to harm
- breachedBroke past a barrier
- infiltratedEntered covertly, secretly
- tamperedIllegally altered or meddled
- alteredChanged from before
falsified · manipulated · tainted · integrity · data · evidence · sample · sterile
Disease-causing microorganisms
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- germsMicroscopic disease agents
- microbesMicroscopic living organisms
parasites · fungi · disease · contagion · outbreak · epidemic · transmission · foodborne
Capable of causing death
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- chemicalSubstance with defined composition
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
mercury · arsenic · asbestos · dioxin · PCBs · pesticides · herbicides · industrial
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
- runoffExcess water drainage
dumping · particulates · fumes · eutrophication · landfill · nitrates · phosphates · sedimentation
tainted
Contaminated, made impure
- spoiledRuined or overindulged
- impureNot wholly clean
- compromisedMade vulnerable to harm
unsafe · diluted · mixed · cut · fraudulent · mislabeled · recalled · unfit · substandard · counterfeit
compromised
Made vulnerable to harm
- breachedBroke past a barrier
- infiltratedEntered covertly, secretly
- tamperedIllegally altered or meddled
altered · falsified · manipulated · tainted · integrity · data · evidence · sample · sterile · sealed
pathogens
Disease-causing microorganisms
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- germsMicroscopic disease agents
microbes · parasites · fungi · disease · contagion · outbreak · epidemic · transmission · foodborne · waterborne
poisonous
Capable of causing death
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- chemicalSubstance with defined composition
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
lead · mercury · arsenic · asbestos · dioxin · PCBs · pesticides · herbicides · industrial · biohazard
smog
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
runoff · dumping · particulates · fumes · eutrophication · landfill · nitrates · phosphates · sedimentation · groundwater
nuclear
Of atomic energy
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- isotopesAtomic number twins
Chernobyl · Fukushima · uranium · plutonium · cesium · strontium · half-life · reactor · meltdown · irradiated
contaminatedpure
Unmixed, without impurities
uncontaminated · decontaminated · sterile · clean · pristine
- contaminated waterImpure liquid with pathogens
- bacterial contaminationHarmful microbes present
- oil contaminationHarmful petroleum in environment
- lead contaminationToxic heavy metal presence
- water contaminationHarmful substances in drinking supply
- cross contaminationTransfer of harmful substances
contaminate, contamination, uncontaminated, decontaminate, contaminating, contaminates, decontamination, contaminator, contaminations