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Adulteration - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Adulteration is the act of making something impure or inferior by adding harmful or substandard substances, often done to deceive consumers or reduce costs in food, drugs, or other products.

adulteration

/əˌdʌltəˈreɪʃən/ /əˌdʌltəˈreɪʃən/

Definition:

The act of making something impure by adding inferior or foreign substances.

Synonyms:

contamination, debasement, dilution, pollution

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

purification, refinement

Common Collocations:

food adulteration, chemical adulteration, product adulteration

Derivatives:

adulterate, adulterated, adulterator

Usage Tips:

Use "adulteration" to describe the corruption of a substance by adding impurities or inferior elements.

Common Phrases:

pure as the driven snow (antithetical phrase), cut with something (related phrase)

Etymology:

From Latin *adulterare*, meaning "to corrupt," via Old French *adulteracion*.

Examples:

  • 1. The milk was recalled due to adulteration with water.
  • 2. Adulteration of spices with artificial colors is illegal in many countries.
  • 3. The lab tests revealed significant adulteration in the honey samples.
  • 4. Consumers should beware of adulteration in cheap perfumes and oils.

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