adulterant

noun

adul·​ter·​ant ə-ˈdəl-t(ə-)rənt How to pronounce adulterant (audio)
Synonyms of adulterantnext
: an adulterating substance or agent
adulterant adjective

Synonyms

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Examples of adulterant in a Sentence

concerned about adulterants in the town's water supply coming from the discharge from the factory
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Soon, Wiley was releasing regular bulletins on food adulterants and advocating for national laws. — Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 1 May 2025 Often, a patchwork of public health experts and harm-reduction groups help test samples and educate people about dangerous new adulterants cycling through local drug supplies. — Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1755, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adulterant was circa 1755

Browse Nearby Words

adult education
adulterant
adulterate
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Cite this Entry

“Adulterant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adulterant. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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Kids Definition

adulterant

noun
adul·​ter·​ant ə-ˈdəl-tə-rənt How to pronounce adulterant (audio)
: something used to adulterate another thing

Medical Definition

adulterant

noun
adul·​ter·​ant ə-ˈdəl-t(ə-)rənt How to pronounce adulterant (audio)
: an adulterating substance or agent
adulterant adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on adulterant

Nglish: Translation of adulterant for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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