What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
toxified
Example
The river was toxified by the factory's waste disposal. [toxified: past participle]
Example
The soil was toxified by the excessive use of pesticides. [toxify: verb]
contaminate
Example
The food was contaminated with bacteria, causing many people to get sick. [contaminated: past participle]
Example
The air was contaminated by the smoke from the burning trash. [contaminate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contaminate is more commonly used than toxified in everyday language. Contaminate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while toxified is less common and refers specifically to the presence of toxic substances.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between toxified and contaminate?
Both toxified and contaminate are formal words that are typically used in scientific or technical contexts to describe pollution or toxicity. However, contaminate is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
