denature
verb
de·na·ture
(ˌ)dē-ˈnā-chər 
denatured; denaturing
(ˌ)dē-ˈnā-ch(ə-)riŋ
1
2
: to deprive of natural qualities : change the nature of: such as
a
: to make (alcohol) unfit for drinking (as by adding an obnoxious substance) without impairing usefulness for other purposes
b
: to modify the molecular structure of (something, such as a protein or DNA) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so as to destroy or diminish some of the original properties and especially the specific biological activity
: to become denatured
Examples of denature in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Manufacturers put denatured alcohol in cosmetics because of its drying abilities.
—
Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 Sep. 2024
Making light of violence against women is part of her act, castrating its power, denaturing the sting.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 7 June 2024
Wine can be cleaned using shampoo and denatured alcohol.
—Samantha S. Thorpe, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2023
Whey proteins tend to denature a bit during pasteurization.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 20 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for denature 
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Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 Sep. 2024
Making light of violence against women is part of her act, castrating its power, denaturing the sting.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 7 June 2024
Wine can be cleaned using shampoo and denatured alcohol.
—Samantha S. Thorpe, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2023
Whey proteins tend to denature a bit during pasteurization.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 20 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for denature
Dictionary Entries Near denature
Cite this Entry
“Denature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denature. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
denature
verb
de·na·ture
(ˈ)dē-ˈnā-chər
denatured; denaturing
-ˈnāch-(ə-)riŋ
: to remove the natural qualities of: as
a
: to make (alcohol) unfit for drinking without taking away usefulness for other purposes
b
: to change the structure of (as a protein) so that the original properties are removed or diminished
Medical Definition
denature
verb
de·na·ture
(ˈ)dē-ˈnā-chər
denatured; denaturing
-ˈnāch-(ə-)riŋ
: to deprive of natural qualities: as
a
: to make (alcohol) unfit for drinking (as by adding an obnoxious substance) without impairing usefulness for other purposes
b
: to modify the molecular structure of (as a protein or DNA) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so as to destroy or diminish some of the original properties and especially the specific biological activity
: to become denatured
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