detoxify
verb
Did you know?
These days, detoxify can mean to free (someone) from a substance addiction (and yes, it's the source of detox, a more recent word that also refers to getting drugs or alcohol out of a person's system). Originally, however, detoxification was something done to things rather than to people. In its earliest uses - from about 1905 - detoxify referred to the removal of poison, or of poisonous or damaging properties, from a harmful substance, or to the removal of poisonous or toxic substances from something contaminated (such as the bloodstream).The specific application to removing poison from an addict is relatively new, dating to the mid-20th century. Today, detoxify is also often used generally in reference to counteracting the activity or effect of anything harmful (such as propaganda).
Examples of detoxify in a Sentence
Rana Good, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
More research is needed to determine whether blood donations help detoxify the body.17
Side Effects of Donating Blood
Donating blood is safe for most healthy adults.
—Steffini Stalos, Verywell Health, 18 Oct. 2024
Antioxidants are compounds that detoxify free radicals, dangerous chemicals created through stressors to organisms.
—Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
The charcoal formula is said to have detoxifying properties that help draw out any impurities clogging the hair follicle that cause buildup on the scalp and lead to itchiness.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near detoxify
Cite this Entry
“Detoxify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detoxify. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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detoxify
verb
J. M. Markham
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