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.

Senior officers devised a sterile buffer zone between Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and Parliament Square.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

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

“These are sterile stuff that you’re supposed to inject in your body,” says Pai-Verma.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Doctors and nurses would wear sterile gowns, gloves, shoe covers, caps over their hair, and masks over their noses and mouths.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

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