contaminate
Translation
to contaminate, to pollute, to taint
Examples
The factory contaminated the river with chemicals.
The factory contaminated the river with chemicals.
Don't let raw meat contaminate other foods.
Don't let raw meat contaminate other foods.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((with sth.)) to make (sth.) dirty or harmful with (sth.) The factory contaminated the river with chemicals.
Similar Words
Synonyms: pollute, infect, taint; Antonyms: purify, clean, decontaminate
Etymology
From Latin 'con-' (together) + 'tangere' (to touch). The idea is bringing things into contact that makes one impure.
Memory Tips
Think of 'contact'. When something bad comes into 'contact' with something pure, it contaminates it.