1
as in corruptions
an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things
for two centuries the Christian monasteries in England suffered defilements at the hands of Viking invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contaminants
something that is or that makes impure
souvenir shops, observation towers, and other tacky defilements on Civil War battlefields that should be considered hallowed ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defilements
Noun
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The lawsuit cites studies that toxic contaminants in the herbicide have led to higher rates of birth defects in children of these veterans compared to the general population.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026 -
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed a rule that would, for the first time, formally flag microplastics and pharmaceuticals in drinking water as threats that deserve federal attention — putting them on its list of contaminants that merit study, tracking, and possible future regulation.—
Justin Zorn,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Health dangers of pollution Ozone and particle pollution are considered two of the most widespread and dangerous pollutants measured by the US Environmental Protection Agency.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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Trees and plants sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, filter pollutants from the air and reduce urban temperatures through shade, according to The Nature Conservancy.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Felicia Anderson, 39, is wanted on a half-dozen criminal counts, including first-degree assault, second-degree assault and weapons violations.—
Alexa Ashwell,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
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In addition to stalking and domestic violence crimes, the companies must also act in cases that involve violations of protective orders in stalking cases.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Devotees love how the aluminum walls and constant but surprisingly not-too-loud ventilation keep the air inside fresh, as does a charcoal filter designed to absorb airborne impurities that can creep into bottles through their corks or caps.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Apr. 2026
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Facial Cleansing Brushes A gentle facial cleansing brush can remove makeup and impurities more effectively than hands alone.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Defilements.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defilements. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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