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

The material was then dialyzed, sterile filtered, and freeze dried.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

But she feels confident in the quality of the products she obtains because compounding pharmacies that prepare sterile injectables are required to test batches for potential contaminants and are regulated by state pharmacy boards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Scientists recovered a very small but partial match to Quinn from a part of the device that had been sterile before it had been used and had not been touched since.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

I guess some part of me thought they’d land, but never leave the safety of their sterile world.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

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