unsterile
Lacking medical cleanliness
Unsterile means not sterile—either contaminated with microorganisms or capable of reproduction.
In medical contexts, unsterile equipment or conditions pose infection risks: The wound became infected from unsterile instruments.
In biological contexts, it describes organisms capable of producing offspring, the opposite of sterile or barren.
Lacking proper cleanliness
grimy · unwashed · soiled · unhygienic · squalid · foul · dingy · grubby
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- microbesMicroscopic living organisms
- germsMicroscopic disease agents
- impuritiesUnwanted substances within something
tainted · fouled · compromised · unsanitary · contagion · biohazard · septic · mold
Likely to cause injury
- dangerousApt to cause harm
- unsafeLikely to cause harm
- exposureState of being unprotected
- vulnerableOpen to attack
compromised · harmful · infectious · pathogenic · health risk · liability · contamination risk · outbreak
Dangerous inflammatory infection response
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- surgicalRelating to operations
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- operating roomSurgical procedure venue
procedure · equipment · instruments · dressing · catheter · needle · implant · incision
Harmful environmental substances
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
- industrialOf factories and production
emissions · heavy metals · runoff · wastewater · chemicals · contaminants · hazardous waste · leachate
unsanitary
Lacking proper cleanliness
unclean · grimy · unwashed · soiled · unhygienic · squalid · foul · dingy · grubby · mucky
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- microbesMicroscopic living organisms
- germsMicroscopic disease agents
impurities · tainted · fouled · compromised · unsanitary · contagion · biohazard · septic · mold · spores
hazardous
Likely to cause injury
vulnerable · compromised · harmful · infectious · pathogenic · health risk · liability · contamination risk · outbreak · transmission
sepsis
Dangerous inflammatory infection response
operating room · procedure · equipment · instruments · dressing · catheter · needle · implant · incision · suture
pollutants
Harmful environmental substances
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
industrial · emissions · heavy metals · runoff · wastewater · chemicals · contaminants · hazardous waste · leachate · groundwater
unsterilesterile
Free from microorganisms
sterilized · disinfected · aseptic · antiseptic · germ-free