as in to clean
to remove dirty or dangerous substances (such as radioactive material) from (a person, thing, place, etc.)
Special workers were called in to decontaminate the area after the oil spill.
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Recent Examples of decontaminate
All first responders and equipment involved in the operation had to be decontaminated, officials said.
—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
The bodies must be decontaminated before being taken to the corner’s office, local authorities said.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
More than a dozen first responders were quarantined and decontaminated after responding to the scene.
—
ABC News,
22 May 2026
After everyone on board has disembarked, the ship will be decontaminated based on Dutch public health guidelines, a process that will take about three days, according to van Duijnhoven.
—
Molly Quell,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decontaminate
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
The bodies must be decontaminated before being taken to the corner’s office, local authorities said.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
More than a dozen first responders were quarantined and decontaminated after responding to the scene.
—
ABC News,
22 May 2026
After everyone on board has disembarked, the ship will be decontaminated based on Dutch public health guidelines, a process that will take about three days, according to van Duijnhoven.
—
Molly Quell,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decontaminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decontaminate
Verb
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Ashton's journey from moving bins to cleaning them demonstrates that a complete roadmap isn't necessary; curiosity and taking the next step are crucial.
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Tahoe officials have been vigilant, ensuring all boats are cleaned, drained and dry before launching into Lake Tahoe.
Verb
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Separate the jade plant from other plants so the pests won’t spread, then wipe the leaves with neem oil.
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Suppose a relatively small near-Earth object is speeding toward our planet, threatening to wipe the city of Dallas (whose population is over a million) off the map.
Verb
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Doctors, following accepted practice, would likely have bled or purged an ill person for humoral balance.
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Among those purged or forced to retire have been a chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of naval operations and the head of the Defense Health Agency.
Verb
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Bryan West Moments after Swift and Kelce exchanged vows, rain and flashes of lightning swept across Manhattan outside Madison Square Garden.
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Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways.
Cite this Entry
“Decontaminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decontaminate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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