sterile

[ster-il, -ahyl] / ˈstɛr ɪl, -aɪl /

ADJECTIVE

unproductive, clean

Synonyms

STRONGEST

antiseptic arid barren bleak desolate futile hygienic impotent infertile

WEAK

aseptic bare dead decontaminated desert disinfected dry effete empty fallow fruitless gaunt germ-free infecund pasteurized sanitary septic sterilized unfruitful uninfected unprofitable unprolific vain waste without issue

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful contaminated fertile fruitful potent productive profitable unclean unsanitary unsterile

WEAK

dirty

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He has gutted the bathroom attached to the Lincoln Bedroom in the White House’s private quarters, altering its green Art Deco tile work to a sterile marble with gold fixtures.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

When sterile water is added to the final powder, it becomes a biomaterial that can be delivered intravenously or infused into a coronary artery in the heart.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

While the telegraph had already achieved near-instant communication, it was limited to the sterile clicks of Morse code.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

We also watched a nurse rummage through a medical waste disposal box without sterile gloves.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

When the world reappears again, we are both standing in a sterile, white space with white walls that stretch to infinity.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

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