ADULTERANT Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

adulterant

noun

ə-ˈdəl-t(ə-)rənt

Definition of adulterant

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

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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 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 See All Example Sentences for adulterant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adulterant

Noun

Lettuce and other leafy foods with multiple layers pose a higher risk of contamination, but with a vigorous wash and peeling the outer layers, even the greens can be saved.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Michigan health officials are encouraging people to buy whole heads of lettuce and remove outer leaves where there could be contamination before washing it.

— Erika Edwards, NBC news, 7 July 2026

Definition of contamination

Noun

Jegede said most root vegetables like potatoes and carrots, along with any fruit that has an outer layer, can be washed to remove potential contaminants, even if they were covered in ash.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Even drinking water, which is carefully treated and monitored, can contain trace amounts of contaminants from multiple sources, including pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals and compounds formed during water treatment.

— Brad Reisfeld, The Conversation, 6 July 2026

Definition of contaminant

Noun

As whole house fans and swamp coolers can suck additional pollutants inside, the department recommends using air purifiers or air conditioners as alternatives when possible.

— Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
The material can power reactions such as oxidizing organic molecules, potentially degrading pollutants, sterilizing surfaces, or enabling photocatalytic chemistry to continue later in the dark.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 July 2026

Definition of pollutant

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adult

adulterant

adulterants

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“Adulterant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adulterant. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of adulterant

noun

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