adulterate

1 of 2

verb

adul·​ter·​ate ə-ˈdəl-tə-ˌrāt 

adulterated; adulterating

transitive verb

: to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element

especially : to prepare for sale by replacing more valuable with less valuable or inert ingredients

He was in the same plight as the manufacturer who has to adulterate and misrepresent his product. If he does not, some one else will.

—Upton Sinclair

adulterator

ə-ˈdəl-tə-ˌrā-tər 

noun

adulterate

2 of 2

adjective

adul·​ter·​ate ə-ˈdəl-t(ə-)rət 

1

: being adulterated : spurious

2

: tainted with adultery : adulterous

… that incestuous, that adulterate beast …

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

Verb

• cut
• dilute
• extend
• lace
• sophisticate
• thin
• water down
• weaken

Adjective

• adulterated
• alloyed
• contaminated
• dilute
• diluted
• impure
• polluted
• tainted
• thinned
• weakened

Examples of adulterate in a Sentence

Verb

The company is accused of adulterating its products with cheap additives.

the company was fined for adulterating its “all beef” frankfurters with cereal

Adjective

the pharmacist was convicted of selling adulterate drugs in order to maximize profits

caught red-handed in what he claimed was his first adulterate encounter

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The policy represents a major shift in the U.S. after years of successful lobbying by the pharmaceutical industry, which said imports would expose U.S. patients to risks of counterfeit or adulterated drugs. —Matthew Perrone, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2024

Or: If Amendment 3 passes, street dealers hoping to cultivate addiction by adulterating pot with some of the world’s most dangerous opioids would see a downturn in profits. —Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024

Check best-by dates Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc. recalled all liverwurst product produced by the establishment that is currently available in commerce because it may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Aug. 2024

Hanson was initially charged on April 26 with only one count of adulterating or contaminating food, which under Kansas law is a criminal threat. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Latin adulterātus, past participle of adulterāre "to defile by adultery, commit adultery with, mix with another substance, pollute," from ad- ad- + -alterāre, verbal derivative of alter "second, other" — more at alter

Adjective

borrowed from Latin adulterātus — more at adulterate entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1526, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

adulterate

verb

adul·​ter·​ate

ə-ˈdəl-tə-ˌrāt

adulterated; adulterating

: to make impure or weaker by adding an unnecessary or lower-grade substance

especially : to prepare for sale by using in whole or in part a substance that reduces value or strength

adulteration

ə-ˌdəl-tə-ˈrā-shən

noun

adulterator

ə-ˈdəl-tə-ˌrāt-ər

noun

Etymology

Verb

from Latin adulterare "to make impure," from ad- "to" and alter "other" — related to alter

Medical Definition

adulterate

transitive verb

adul·​ter·​ate ə-ˈdəl-tə-ˌrāt 

adulterated; adulterating

: to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance

especially : to prepare for sale by replacing more valuable with less valuable or inert ingredients

adulterator

-ˌrāt-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

adulterate

transitive verb

adul·​ter·​ate ə-ˈdəl-tə-ˌrāt 

adulterated; adulterating

: to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element

especially : to prepare for sale by omitting a valuable ingredient or by replacing more valuable ingredients with less valuable or inert and usually harmful ingredients or with ingredients different from those claimed

Note: Under the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a device such as a piece of medical equipment that is defective in some way is considered adulterated.

adulteration

ə-ˌdəl-tə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

adulterator

ə-ˈdəl-tə-ˌrā-tər 

noun