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Synonym Chooser

How is the word vitiate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of vitiate are corrupt, debase, debauch, deprave, and pervert. While all these words mean "to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character," vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.

a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship

When can corrupt be used instead of vitiate?

In some situations, the words corrupt and vitiate are roughly equivalent. However, corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.

the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language

When is it sensible to use debase instead of vitiate?

While the synonyms debase and vitiate are close in meaning, debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.

commercialism has debased the holiday

When would debauch be a good substitute for vitiate?

The synonyms debauch and vitiate are sometimes interchangeable, but debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.

the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew

When could deprave be used to replace vitiate?

The words deprave and vitiate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.

the claim that society is depraved by pornography

When might pervert be a better fit than vitiate?

The words pervert and vitiate can be used in similar contexts, but pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.

perverted the original goals of the institute

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vitiate The bill vitiates the existing legal agreements between the parties as to the calculation of re-setting of the ground lease rent and removes all leverage in negotiations. Anita W. Laremont, New York Daily News, 14 May 2024 Yet, the Biden Justice Department’s infighting and foot-dragging caused the statute of limitations for the 2014 and 2015 tax years to lapse, vitiating some of the investigation’s key allegations. The Editors, National Review, 21 July 2023 And, especially relevant to Edelman in this case: Is it vitiated by bad motives? Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 June 2023 His arguments were later challenged by critics who argued that new information and communication technologies vitiated the advantages of corporate size and hierarchical control. Barry Eichengreen, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for vitiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vitiate
Verb
  • The movement also was tainted by instances of rampant antisemitism, which Khalil disavowed.
    Chelsea Bailey, Gloria Pazmino and Taylor Galgano, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The plaintiffs argue the rhetoric has tainted the policy-making process.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Rodgers was cut by the New York Jets earlier this year following two seasons marred by an achilles injury and 6-12 overall record as the team’s starting quarterback.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • For Harris and his teammates, March Madness presents an opportunity for redemption after a season marred by a dozen losses.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Most microplastics are made on land, where larger plastic debris degrades into tinier and tinier pieces.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The other reason is that our news ecosystem is rapidly degrading, particularly online.
    Jeffrey Blehar, National Review, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • The most high-profile attack claimed by ISIS in 2024 was the devastating assault on a Moscow shopping mall in March, which left at least 150 dead and more than 500 injured.
    Mary Kay Mallonee, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Officials in Arkansas said Saturday morning that three people died in Independence County and 29 others were injured across eight counties as storms passed through the state overnight.
    Bruce Shipkowski, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Signing Verdugo now would give the Yankees one less option to fill the Stanton void and weaken their lineup even more.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In an all-staff e-mail, Dudek wrote: Criticism, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness are the four forces that can end any relationship and weaken any institution. . .
    E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The invisible, odorless gas is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States, killing more than 400 Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Thousands each year are shot, poisoned to suffer, and trapped legally.
    James Powel, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The way it’s assembled brings a big advantage if it’s rolled or damaged, as body panels may be replaced in a matter of a few days.
    Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vitiate. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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