disinfectant

noun

Definition of disinfectantnext
as in solvent

Related Words

Relevance

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 disinfectant This week in 1865, Joseph Lister became the first surgeon to perform an antiseptic operation with liberal use of carbolic acid (phenol) as a disinfectant. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026 Using a disinfectant on a surface still covered with grease, grime or chicken slime will keep the chemical from reaching — and killing — the germs underneath unless the surface is first thoroughly cleaned. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 As is so often the case, sunlight could be the best disinfectant. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026 These byproducts form when the disinfectant, in this case sodium hypochlorite, reacts with organic matter remaining in the water after treatment. — Christine Kirchhoff, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for disinfectant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disinfectant
  1. solvent
  2. soap
Noun
  • The dream of creating an honest consensus now works as a kind of acid, a solvent dismantling the capacity for coordination.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The solvent breaks apart dirt and grease molecules and evaporates quickly to leave windows streak-free.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of solvent
Noun
  • Rinse your hands with clean water to remove any loose debris, apply enough soap to make a good lather, and scrub all surfaces, including between fingers, under fingernails and above wrists.
    — Kimberly Baker, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
  • For soap scum, Williams likes to spray peroxide directly on it and then spread a light layer of baking soda over the top.
    — Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of soap

Browse Nearby Words

disinfect
disinfectant
disinfectants
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disinfectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disinfectant. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on disinfectant

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about disinfectant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

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)
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All