1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word vitiate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of vitiate are corrupt, debase, debauch, deprave, and pervert. While all these words mean "to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character," vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.

a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

When can corrupt be used instead of vitiate?

In some situations, the words corrupt and vitiate are roughly equivalent. However, corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.

the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

When is it sensible to use debase instead of vitiate?

While the synonyms debase and vitiate are close in meaning, debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.

commercialism has debased the holiday

When would debauch be a good substitute for vitiate?

The synonyms debauch and vitiate are sometimes interchangeable, but debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.

the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew

When could deprave be used to replace vitiate?

The words deprave and vitiate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.

the claim that society is depraved by pornography

When might pervert be a better fit than vitiate?

The words pervert and vitiate can be used in similar contexts, but pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.

perverted the original goals of the institute

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 vitiate Obviously this does not vitiate the whole enterprise of poetry. Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025 Such words are verbal roadblocks that not only vitiate the meaning of your message but worse, obscure its clarity. Jerry Weissman, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 Older now, and vitiated by the injuries sustained during the attempt on his life, Sliwa was nonetheless imposing. Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025 In middle- and low-income countries, trafficking impedes sustainable development by destabilizing communities and vitiating human potential. Jamille Bigio, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2021 See All Example Sentences for vitiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vitiate
Verb
  • Rahmani, the former prosecutor, said statements by Patel and other Justice Department officials could raise concerns about tainting the jury pool in a future trial.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Swift and Lively’s long friendship had been a distinct sub-plot in the IEWU legal battles, with tabloid fodder that the duo have fallen out over the controversy adverse Eras Tour performer getting tainted with the whole thing.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The disruptions come amid a WNBA season in which multiple games were marred by the objects making appearances on the court.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Each death was devastating to relatives and friends left behind, and the first decades of the twentieth century were marred by individual grief on a global scale.
    Alice Vernon September 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Today’s batteries depend on scarce resources like lithium and cobalt and degrade over time.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
  • These perform well at low to medium heat, but begin to degrade around 500 °F, potentially releasing harmful fumes that can pose health risks.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Despite Alfred and Jefferson-Wooden being the clear favorites for gold in the 100-meter dash, there are a few others besides Fraser-Pryce who could spoil the party.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Instead, the couple is content to spoil their dog, Bimini, a mini Labradoodle whom Berk first introduced on his Instagram in 2021.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The severity, healing and availability of Purdy’s toe will depend heavily on which toe is injured and what specific part of the toe got injured.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Almost certainly out this week also is injured receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder), who provided most of the scant glimmers of hope in the Super Bowl with eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Foreign powers such as Russia and China, which challenge America and its allies from Europe to the Middle East to Taiwan and the South China Sea, have long been accused of exploiting such divisions through disinformation campaigns that inflame tensions and weaken confidence in American governance.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But around the equinoxes, the natural buffer weakens.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Thousands of multivitamin bottles sold on Amazon and other websites have been recalled over a risk of serious injury or death by poisoning.
    Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • During World War II, Husseini became a Nazi collaborator, broadcasting propaganda into the Arab world, touring death camps with his friend Heinrich Himmler, recruiting SS divisions, and hatching a plot to poison Tel Aviv’s water supply.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Using abrasive cleaner or products with harsh chemicals can damage the beautiful material and lead to a less-than-pretty tub.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
  • But posting on social media leaves a record, and in times of escalating political polarization, those declarations can be seen as damaging to the reputation of an individual or their employer.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Vitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vitiate. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vitiate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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