adulterated
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /əˈdʌltəˌreɪtɪd/
KK: /əˈdʌltəˌreɪtɪd/
adjective
Definition
Something that has been made impure or less pure by mixing it with other substances.
Example
The adulterated food products were recalled due to health concerns.
Conversation
Did you hear about that juice brand they recalled?
Yeah, I heard it was adulterated with some weird substances.
I can't believe they would sell something like that.
Right? It makes you wonder what else might be unsafe.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
tainted
contaminated
impure
Antonyms
pure
unmixed
clean
verb
Definition
To make something impure or of lower quality by adding something harmful or undesirable.
Example
The food was found to be adulterated with harmful chemicals.
Tense Forms
Past: adulterated
Past Participle: adulterated
Conversation
Did you hear about the juice they adulterated with water?
Yeah, I can't believe they would do that!
It really makes you think about what you're drinking.
Root Explanation
Adulterated → It is formed from "ad-" (meaning to) and "alterare" (meaning to change or modify). The word describes something that has been changed or modified, often in a way that makes it impure or inferior.
Memory Tip
Think of something being 'changed' ('alterare') in a way that makes it less pure — 'ad-' means to, so adulterated means something has been made impure by being changed.
Visually Confused Words
unadulterated
unadulterate
unadulteratedly
alterate
unadulterately
cultrated
alternate
altercate