contaminates
Introduces harmful substances
Contaminates means makes something impure by introducing unwanted or harmful substances.
A chemical spill contaminates groundwater.
Cross-contamination occurs when bacteria from raw meat reach other foods.
The word extends beyond physical pollution: Bias contaminates the research.
Whatever contaminates something degrades its quality or integrity.
Causes moral decline
- taintsMakes slightly impure
- influencesPowers that shape behavior
- pervertsCorrupts or distorts
- poisonsHarmful ingested substances
infects · spreads · infiltrates · undermines · degrades · pollutes · discourse · culture
Contaminated, made impure
- sulliedMade morally unclean
- adulteratedDiluted with inferior substances
- corruptedMade impure or dishonest
- spoiledRuined or overindulged
degraded · fouled · compromised · blemished · impure · unclean · unwholesome · vitiated
Capable of causing death
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- lethalCausing or capable of death
- noxiousHarmful, especially when inhaled
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
lead · mercury · cadmium · arsenic · asbestos · dioxins · neurotoxic · mutagenic
Made impure by contaminants
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
- runoffExcess water drainage
sewage · smog · particulates · fumes · exhaust · pesticides · dumping · groundwater
corrupts
Causes moral decline
- taintsMakes slightly impure
- influencesPowers that shape behavior
- pervertsCorrupts or distorts
poisons · infects · spreads · infiltrates · undermines · degrades · pollutes · discourse · culture · minds
tainted
Contaminated, made impure
- sulliedMade morally unclean
- adulteratedDiluted with inferior substances
- corruptedMade impure or dishonest
spoiled · degraded · fouled · compromised · blemished · impure · unclean · unwholesome · vitiated · degradation
poisonous
Capable of causing death
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- lethalCausing or capable of death
- noxiousHarmful, especially when inhaled
radioactive · lead · mercury · cadmium · arsenic · asbestos · dioxins · neurotoxic · mutagenic · hazardous
polluted
Made impure by contaminants
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
runoff · sewage · smog · particulates · fumes · exhaust · pesticides · dumping · groundwater · aquifer
infected
Invaded by pathogens
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
germs · microbes · parasites · fungi · contagion · transmission · outbreak · disease · foodborne · salmonella
- tarnishesblemishes, blots, corrupts, defames, denigrates
contaminatespurifies
Removes unwanted substances
decontaminates · cleanses · cleans · disinfects · sterilizes
- 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
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