as in contamination
something that is or that makes impure
concerned about adulterants in the town's water supply coming from the discharge from the factory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 adulterant
In a letter reviewed by CBS News, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said that agency funding cannot be used to purchase test strips used to check drugs for dangerous adulterants like fentanyl, xylazine and medetomidine.
—
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Like many bath salts, NEP was often sold as Ecstasy or added to other drugs as an adulterant.
—Jonathan Corum, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Plenty of coffee drinkers enjoy medium or dark roasts, which tend to pair well with milk and other adulterants.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Other adulterants also pose potential risks, especially when consumed unknowingly.
—Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Some products have been found to have contaminants such as heavy metals, bacteria, or chemicals or adulterants not listed on the label.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 21 July 2025
In recent years, illicit drugs in the US have been cut with some high-profile and dangerous adulterants, such as the powerful veterinary sedative xylazine (aka tranq) and the yet more powerful veterinary sedative medetomidine.
—ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025
Those tests have turned up a new adulterant: an industrial chemical known as BTMPS that is used in making plastics.
—Kate Kilpatrick, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Like many bath salts, NEP was often sold as Ecstasy or added to other drugs as an adulterant.
—Jonathan Corum, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Plenty of coffee drinkers enjoy medium or dark roasts, which tend to pair well with milk and other adulterants.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Other adulterants also pose potential risks, especially when consumed unknowingly.
—Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Some products have been found to have contaminants such as heavy metals, bacteria, or chemicals or adulterants not listed on the label.
—Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 21 July 2025
In recent years, illicit drugs in the US have been cut with some high-profile and dangerous adulterants, such as the powerful veterinary sedative xylazine (aka tranq) and the yet more powerful veterinary sedative medetomidine.
—ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025
Those tests have turned up a new adulterant: an industrial chemical known as BTMPS that is used in making plastics.
—Kate Kilpatrick, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adulterant
Noun
-
On Darlene Lane, the flow of contamination increased in late April and continues to seep into their neighbor’s yard.—
Nick Bowlin,
ProPublica,
18 May 2026
-
Code violations, hazardous contamination and tenants are potential issues.—
Graham Womack
May 18,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The money was part of a $9 billion investment to help communities manage water contaminated with PFAS and other contaminants.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
The podcast discussed a number of discredited ideas, including that mRNA vaccines may contain harmful DNA contaminants.—
Matthew Perrone,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The update reflects the state’s evolving understanding of its most dangerous pollutants, which has shifted over the decades from visible pollutants, such as smog, to more invisible ones that cause cancer, heart disease and other health harms.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
Although the highest level fan was a little loud, the air purifier was effective at quickly getting rid of the scents and pollutants quickly.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adulterant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adulterant. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
