toxifies
Renders something harmful
Toxifies means makes toxic or poisonous.
The word applies literally to substances that contaminate: Industrial runoff toxifies the groundwater.
More often it appears figuratively, describing how something corrupts or poisons relationships, environments, or discourse: Social media toxifies political debate.
The word emphasizes an active process of making something harmful that wasn't before.
Causing physical harm
- deleteriousCausing harm or damage
- detrimentalCausing harm or damage
- perniciousGradually and subtly harmful
- damagingCausing loss or injury
adverse · corrupts · degrades · sickens · weakens · poisons · contaminates · infects
Injected animal poison
- arsenicToxic metalloid element
- cyanideToxic carbon-nitrogen compound
- strychnineHighly toxic plant alkaloid
- ricinToxic castor compound
botulinum · neurotoxin · hemotoxin · mercury · lead · dioxin · carcinogen · mutagen
Likely to cause injury
- lethalCausing or capable of death
- deadlyAble to cause expiration
- fatalCausing death or ruin
- venomousProducing injected toxins
carcinogenic · mutagenic · teratogenic · noxious · perilous · unsafe · risky · jeopardizes
Below neutral pH
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- erosiveCausing gradual wearing away
- reactiveTending to respond
- oxidizingCombining with oxygen
etching · pitting · tarnishing · degrading · dissolving · sulfuric · nitric · hydrochloric
Introduction of impurities
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- runoffExcess water drainage
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
smog · particulates · acid rain · eutrophication · leachate · groundwater · waterway · ecosystem
injurious
Causing physical harm
- deleteriousCausing harm or damage
- detrimentalCausing harm or damage
- perniciousGradually and subtly harmful
damaging · adverse · corrupts · degrades · sickens · weakens · poisons · contaminates · infects · impairs
venom
Injected animal poison
- arsenicToxic metalloid element
- cyanideToxic carbon-nitrogen compound
- strychnineHighly toxic plant alkaloid
ricin · botulinum · neurotoxin · hemotoxin · mercury · lead · dioxin · carcinogen · mutagen · pesticide
hazardous
Likely to cause injury
venomous · carcinogenic · mutagenic · teratogenic · noxious · perilous · unsafe · risky · jeopardizes · threatens
acidic
Below neutral pH
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- erosiveCausing gradual wearing away
- reactiveTending to respond
oxidizing · etching · pitting · tarnishing · degrading · dissolving · sulfuric · nitric · hydrochloric · alkaline
contamination
Introduction of impurities
sewage · smog · particulates · acid rain · eutrophication · leachate · groundwater · waterway · ecosystem · bioaccumulation
toxifiespurifies
Removes unwanted substances
detoxifies · cleanses · decontaminates · filters · sanitizes
toxifiesheals
Restores to wellness
cures · revitalizes · restores · nourishes · rejuvenates
detoxification, detoxifies, detoxified, detoxifier, detoxifiers