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
Soldiers have to suit up in cumbersome NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protective gear and spend about an hour decontaminating a single vehicle.
—
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2024
Some residents are allowed to visit their homes but can’t move back there while thousands of workers remove topsoil, branches, and other materials to decontaminate these areas.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Toby and Will have to work out their issues, CJ lays some hard truths on Donna, and Leo and Abbey have a frank discussion while Bartlet, Debbie, and Charlie are decontaminated.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2024
On a hot summer day in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, dozens of men removed pipes, asbestos and hazardous waste while working to decontaminate a nuclear facility and prepare it for demolition.
—Cathy Bussewitz, The Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for decontaminate
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2024
Some residents are allowed to visit their homes but can’t move back there while thousands of workers remove topsoil, branches, and other materials to decontaminate these areas.
—Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024
Toby and Will have to work out their issues, CJ lays some hard truths on Donna, and Leo and Abbey have a frank discussion while Bartlet, Debbie, and Charlie are decontaminated.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2024
On a hot summer day in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, dozens of men removed pipes, asbestos and hazardous waste while working to decontaminate a nuclear facility and prepare it for demolition.
—Cathy Bussewitz, The Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for decontaminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decontaminate
Verb
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Scented beads aren't meant to be used instead of laundry detergent, as their job isn't necessarily to clean, but to impart that unmistakable fresh laundry scent.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Mar. 2025
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Just be careful with shampoos that claim to clean every kind of surface.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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One woman wipes tears from her face, while another smiles and holds the letter to her chest.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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Buy now: Clean AF face wipes, $5, patchology.com Reusable face wipes are perfect at home but not necessarily practical on a flight.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This is followed by a total lunar eclipse in Virgo on March 14, serving as a cosmic reset and purge, urging us to let go of anything that no longer serves our highest good.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
1 Mar. 2025
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Spring is nearly upon us, and with the change of season, one of two desires naturally emerges: the urge to purge or the craving to acquire something new.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Another total lunar eclipse will sweep across parts of Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
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Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decontaminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decontaminate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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