a·dul·ter·ate ( -d l t -r t )tr.v. a·dul·ter·at·ed, a·dul·ter·at·ing, a·dul·ter·ates To make impure by adding extraneous, improper, or inferior ingredients. adj. (-t r- t)1. Spurious; adulterated. 2. Adulterous.
[Latin adulter re, adulter t-, to pollute; see al-1 in Indo-European roots.]
a·dul ter·a tion n. a·dul ter·a tor n. Synonyms: adulterate, debase, doctor, load These verbs mean to make impure or inferior by adding foreign substances to something: adulterate coffee with ground acorns; silver debased with copper; doctored the wine with water; rag paper loaded with wood fiber. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | adulterator - any substance that lessens the purity or effectiveness of a substance; "it is necessary to remove the adulterants before use"substance - a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties; "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man" |
| 2. | adulterator - a changer who lessens the purity or effectiveness of a substancechanger, modifier - a person who changes something; "an inveterate changer of the menu" |