ADULTERATE Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

adulterate 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈdəl-t(ə-)rət

Definition of adulterate

as in dilute

containing foreign or lower-grade substances the pharmacist was convicted of selling adulterate drugs in order to maximize profits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in adulterous

relating to or being a sexual encounter or relationship between a married person and someone other than their spouse caught red-handed in what he claimed was his first adulterate encounter

Synonyms & Similar Words

adulterate

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈdəl-tə-ˌrāt

as in to dilute

to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances the company was fined for adulterating its "all beef" frankfurters with cereal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 adulterate

Verb

Naloxone, the active drug in Narcan, is only effective on opioids and not on stimulants like cocaine, which would suggest the substance Dick used was adulterated with an opiate such as fentanyl. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026 Instead, dealers usually adulterate their drugs, combining fentanyl with inert powders such as sugar and baby powder, or mixing in other drugs to stretch the active ingredient. — Charles Fain Lehman, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026 This comes after Martin pled guilty to willfully poisoning or adulterating food, water or medicine, which is a felony offense in Nevada. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026 Fruits, leafy greens and other produce can become adulterated with listeria through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of said growing area to livestock, USA TODAY previously reported. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adulterate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adulterate

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

Verb

Environmental groups advocated for SB 954 over concerns that the CEQA exemption could allow heavily polluting facilities to bypass environmental review.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The usual analogy is that generative AI and LLMs are akin to a factory that pollutes local waters.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of pollute

Adjective

In Wilmington, officials are looking into why a couple of polluted tidal creeks in the area are struggling to recover despite restoration efforts.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
But flood control cut off that supply, replacing it with polluted canals.

— Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of polluted

Adjective

Bow School District soon issued no-trespass orders that banned Fellers and Anthony Foote from entering district property or attending sporting or other extracurricular events.

— BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
These follow-up costs can include extracurricular activities, meal programs, fundraisers and other school fees.

— Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of extracurricular

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

Browse Nearby Words

adulterants

adulterate

adulterated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Adulterate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adulterate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of adulterate

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes