as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
the outbreak of food poisoning was traced to adulterated ground beef
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in diluted
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
the company was fined for adulterating its "all beef" frankfurters with cereal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adulterated
chicagotribune.com, 9 Dec. 2021
Navarro and Rhein pleaded guilty to their roles in the distribution of adulterated and misbranded drugs.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2021
Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 15 Dec. 2025
Fruits, leafy greens and other produce can become adulterated with listeria through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of said growing area to livestock, USA TODAY previously reported.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adulterated
Adjective
Brasch, 61, of Skokie, is specifically charged with receipt in interstate commerce and delivery of an adulterated device, the release said.
—Verb
Some olive oils are adulterated, meaning that other substances may be added to them to lower their quality—and often manufacturing costs—while increasing the amount in the bottle.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for adulterated
Adjective
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The state also has an above average number of polluted waterways and more coal ash ponds — small, toxic water bodies near coal plants where poisonous refuse is discarded — than any other state.—
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Webster believes that Bongino and Patel have become polluted by the same swamp that Trump has again and again vowed to clean up.—
Verb
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The Department of Justice sued Texas in 2021, alleging its maps diluted minority voting power, but the case ended before any ruling.—
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Bleach should never be used on a mattress, even if it's diluted.—
Adjective
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Major soil removal underway Meerbott said restoring the park has become a priority as crews work to remove contaminated soil.—
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Leptospirosis can also be found in contaminated water or soil and is spread by rodents.—
Adjective
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Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.—
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For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering.—
Adjective
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Federal officials advise customers not to use the tainted cinnamon and throw it away.—
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Clostridium botulinum can be unevenly spread throughout powdered formula, so not all babies who consume a tainted product will fall ill, according to medical experts.—
Adjective
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Participants can sculpt with air-dry clay, paint on canvas, or craft a collage or mixed-media piece such as a design vision board.—
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The experience left them with mixed emotions.—
Adjective
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Each year, more than 60 percent of textiles produced globally are made from blended fibers, yet less than 1 percent of these materials are effectively recycled.—
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Their blended family — Claire’s daughter Rachel (Ella Anderson) and son Dayna (Hudson Henley), along with Mike’s daughter Angelina (King Princess) — forms the heart of their journey.—
Cite this Entry
“Adulterated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adulterated. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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