What is the antonym of “contaminate”?
The antonyms of contaminate are purify, cleanse, and sterilize. These words convey the opposite meaning of contaminate, which is to make something impure or unclean.
Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
purify
To remove impurities or pollutants from something, making it pure or clean.
Example
The water was purified using a filtration system before it was safe for drinking.
cleanse
To remove dirt, impurities, or toxins from something, making it clean or pure.
Example
She used a special face wash to cleanse her skin and remove all the makeup.
sterilize
To eliminate all microorganisms or bacteria from something, making it free from germs or pathogens.
Example
The surgical instruments were sterilized before the operation to prevent any infections.
How are these antonyms different from each other?
- 1Purify and cleanse are gradable antonyms that describe the removal of impurities or pollutants from something, while sterilize is a complementary antonym that describes the elimination of all microorganisms or bacteria.
- 2Purify is often used in the context of water or air, while cleanse can be used for anything that needs to be cleaned or purified.
- 3Sterilize is commonly used in medical or laboratory settings to ensure that equipment or surfaces are free from germs or pathogens.
Good things to know
- 1Environmental Science: Use purify and cleanse to describe the process of removing pollutants from air or water.
- 2Personal Care: Use cleanse to describe the process of cleaning or purifying skin, hair, or other body parts.
- 3Medical Science: Use sterilize to describe the process of eliminating all microorganisms or bacteria from medical equipment or surfaces.
Remember this!
The antonyms of contaminate are purify, cleanse, and sterilize. Purify and cleanse are gradable antonyms that describe the removal of impurities or pollutants from something, while sterilize is a complementary antonym that describes the elimination of all microorganisms or bacteria. Use these words in different contexts such as environmental science, personal care, and medical science to describe the process of cleaning, purifying, or sterilizing.
