disinfect

verb

Definition of disinfectnext
as in to sanitize

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 disinfect The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued orders to clean and disinfect the sites. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2026 There are a number of ways to disinfect them, including with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or a solution of water and bleach. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 2026 Some help surgeons operate with greater precision, while others disinfect rooms, transport supplies, assist patients during rehabilitation, or provide comfort to people who are distressed. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 Now, the clock starts on a seven-day process to remove other debris and power-wash and disinfect the cavernous freezer. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disinfect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disinfect
  1. sanitize
  2. decontaminate
  3. purify
  4. wipe
  5. purge
  6. scrub
  7. clean
  8. rinse
Verb
  • Staff checked her temperature, asked her to show her tongue and instructed her to wear a mask, sanitize her hands and complete two questionnaires.
    — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Consumers also were advised to carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers the cheeses may have touched.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of sanitize
Verb
  • The protocol provides details on decontaminating clothing and equipment after caving.
    — Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Those exhibiting suspicious symptoms had samples taken and sent to a laboratory for analysis, the ministry said on Saturday, adding that the vessel was also decontaminated.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of decontaminate
Verb
  • Large ovens are then used to dry the electrodes, followed by additional processes to recover and purify the solvents.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Below, take a peek at the best still-available Dyson Prime Day deals, ranging from cordless stick vacuums to purifying tower fans.
    — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of purify
Verb
  • Transfer mushrooms to plate with sausage; do not wipe skillet clean and set skillet aside.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026
  • At one point, Blair cried with tears running down her face, and her lawyer Reitzas moved to wipe them from her face as Blair remained handcuffed during the proceedings.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of wipe
Verb
  • Wikipedia has failed to purge antisemitic and anti-Israel propaganda pushed by bad-actor editors, the Anti-Defamation League warns.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of bingeing followed by purging.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of purge
Verb
  • Adding baking soda to interior grease stains can act as a gentle abrasive to scrub them away.
    — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The company dispensed with its DEI disclosures to investors, scrubbing any references to goals and resources aimed at boosting diversity at the company.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of scrub
Verb
  • Combs paid inmates to clean and cook special meals for him, including curry chicken, pizza and empanadas, and that the hip-hop artist also received Chinese-style massages, four sources told NBC News.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • My mom enrolled as a junior at Hollywood High School and took care of the house—cleaning, reheating frozen chicken pot pies, and making sure everyone did their homework.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of clean
Verb
  • The self-rinsing jet remains enclosed when not in use, so there’s less worry about the spread of bacteria.
    — Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • When the water turns pink, discard it, then rinse and drain the oxtails.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of rinse

Browse Nearby Words

disinclined
disinfect
disinfectant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disinfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disinfect. Accessed 20 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 compunction

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