contaminated

adjective

con·​tam·​i·​nat·​ed kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnā-təd How to pronounce contaminated (audio)
Synonyms of contaminatednext
1
: soiled, stained, corrupted, or infected by contact or association
a contaminated wound
Urine and feces of infected cats and contaminated clothing, bedding, food bowls or toys are also possible modes of transmission.Cat Fancy
2
: made unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements
Botulinum toxin is a highly lethal substance which causes death … when contaminated food is improperly canned or stored.John Laffin
… the material could be used as a filter for cleaning contaminated drinking water.Alexandra Goho

Examples of contaminated in a Sentence

the hospitals had no choice but to throw out the contaminated blood supply
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The life-threatening species that's found in water can also sicken or kill people who eat contaminated seafood, such as raw oysters infected with the bacteria. Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Every dollar a family spends on cancer treatment or a hospital stay tied to contaminated water is a dollar that better rules could have saved them. Alex Burton, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 Tenant Lineage Logistics has brought in national firm Signal Restoration Services and staged trucks, sandbags and metal grates, racing to contain odors and prevent contaminated runoff from entering storm drains. Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 Brushing with tap water is one of the easiest ways to swallow contaminated water without realizing it. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for contaminated

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of contaminate

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contaminated was in 1576

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Cite this Entry

“Contaminated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contaminated. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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