antiseptic 1 of 2

adjective

ˌan-tə-ˈsep-tik How to pronounce antiseptic (audio)
Definition of antisepticnext
1
as in tidy
being clean and in good order known for keeping a strenuously antiseptic kitchen, the floor of which does indeed seem fit for eating off of

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pristine
free from dirt or stain for such an expensive, elegant Sunday brunch, one would expect the attendants at the buffet tables to be professionally attired in starched, antiseptic white jackets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in icy
lacking in friendliness or warmth of feeling an antiseptic assessment of the chances of survival for the ailing patient

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

antiseptic

2 of 2

noun

as in antibiotic

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of antiseptic
Adjective
Using his antiseptic surgical technique, Joseph Lister successfully drained the pus. — Abe Baker-Butler, STAT, 9 Sep. 2026 The service starts with an extra-gentle antiseptic wipe to freshen coats between baths. — Rebecca Norris, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
How Peroxide Cleans Your Kitchen Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that kills germs and bacteria on hard surfaces. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 6 Mar. 2026 And while hydrogen peroxide may not belong in your everyday travel kit, antiseptics can still be useful in higher-risk situations when medical care isn’t immediately available. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for antiseptic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antiseptic
  1. tidy
  2. pristine
  3. icy
  4. antibiotic
  5. neat
  6. immaculate
  7. cold
  8. medicine
Adjective
  • One of the earlier protests in the South Bay saw a tidy column of around 50 protesters walk south on the boardwalk connecting Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For pickup owners, this approach can be particularly useful because a tidy cabin means less time searching for essentials and less clutter competing for valuable space.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of tidy
Adjective
  • Building on a legacy The mission to the Martian moons builds on Japan’s success in leading the Hayabusa and Hayabusa 2 missions, the world’s first two spacecraft to bring back pristine specimens from asteroids.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Chalk it up to premium materials and componentry to deliver pristine, noise-free sound from lossless digital media.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of pristine
Adjective
  • In winter, some wetlands become more accessible as thick, spongelike layers of organic-rich peat freeze solid and become strong enough to support snow machines on their icy surfaces.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Set against the Swiss Alps, the story follows an Englishman (Spall) found barely alive in an icy mountain stream by local woman Alma (Deleila Piasko) and her young son, Franz.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of icy
Noun
  • Most cases resolve without antibiotics, but they may be used for severe illness or in settings with a higher transmission risk.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026
  • And the common cold and the flu are viral infections, so they can't be treated by prescription antibiotics anyway.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of antibiotic
Adjective
  • Bookshop owners were also none too keen to stock the neat little paperbacks with which Lane toured the country.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The deep colors also deliver neat contrasts—warm and precise, technical yet tactile.
    — Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of neat
Adjective
  • Just a few small steps from the off-road parking lot led to a tiny teal door—the color a reflection of the island's immaculate waters.
    — Callie Thorpe, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • His homemaker mother Leonor (a superb Maude Sandham) and his 17-year-old sister Ilse (Karoline Watson) complete the immaculate family portrait, but there’s unrest there too.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of immaculate
Adjective
  • That level of pure confidence while talking to the person with cold, hard footage is what makes Lisa Barlow the perfect Real Housewife.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Shea’s supervisor confronted her when Shea’s findings in a cold case could not be replicated.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of cold
Noun
  • As a result, facilities are forced to buy medicines at market prices.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Our technologies can transform medicine, education, and human prosperity.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of medicine

Browse Nearby Words

antisentimental
antiseptic
antiseptics
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Antiseptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antiseptic. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vocation

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All