verb ·3 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Verb

1. 1
   To sterilize by the use of cleaning agent.

   "An on-board cleaner passes through, disinfecting every grabrail and handhold as they pass."

2. 2
   destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

boilchlorinatecleancleansedecontaminatedelouse

Antonyms

All antonyms

infect

Example

More examples

"I use bleach to disinfect my towels."

Etymology

From English dis- + infect, from Middle French desinfecter.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.