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Glite Dictionary
to detoxicate

to detoxicate

7.5
Take harmful substances out of something to make it safe
  • verb
  • /ˌdiːˈtɒksɪkeɪt/
translation icon : desintoxicar
  • Special chemicals were used to detoxicate the contaminated water.

Examples

  • The treatment helps detoxicate the body of harmful substances.

  • We need to detoxicate this water before using it.

  • It can take years to fully detoxicate polluted soil.

  • The doctor recommended a diet to detoxicate the body.

  • The doctors worked hard to detoxicate his body after the overdose.

  • They use a special process to detoxicate the water before it is released into the river.

  • Many people go on retreats to detoxicate from unhealthy habits and substances.

Synonyms

to cleanse
vsto detoxicate
33 3.0

Remove dirt and germs from a person's body by washing

aims at removing poisonous or harmful substances rather than general dirt
to purify
vsto detoxicate
30 4.6

To remove dirt and bad chemicals from water or air to make them clean

covers removal from many things, not only liquids or gases
to filter out
vsto detoxicate
20 3.8

To remove unwanted things from water, air, or lists by letting the rest pass

involves broader removal to make something safe, not only filtering particles
to neutralize
vsto detoxicate
  • Specialized
19 5.8

To make an acid or other chemical safe by a reaction

focuses on removing harmful material rather than only neutralizing it
to sanitize
vsto detoxicate
  • US
11 3.7

Make something clean and free from bacteria

targets poisonous or harmful chemicals rather than just microbes
to decontaminate
vsto detoxicate
  • Specialized
9 7.0

To remove harmful substances from a place or thing to make it safe

applies to anything including bodies and focuses on health as well
to detoxify
vsto detoxicate
2 5.4

To remove harmful substances from something to make it safe

aims to make the item safe or healthy rather than only neutral
to detox
vsto detoxicate
2 3.9

To remove harmful things from the body by changing what you eat

is broader, not limited to bodies or medical regimes
to decon
vsto detoxicate
  • Jargon
1 8.4

To remove dangerous substances from people, equipment, or areas

is used more generally, not only for dangerous chemicals or agents
to clean one's system
vsto detoxicate
5.1

To remove harmful things from the body or a computer

is a general term for removing poisons or harmful matter from anything
to flush out toxins
vsto detoxicate
4.4

Remove harmful substances from the body by drinking more water or sweating

describes removal more generally, not only by fluids
to deterge
vsto detoxicate
  • Archaic
9.9

To clean a wound or the skin by washing away dirt and germs

focuses on removing poisonous or harmful substances rather than general washing

How Thorough

to sterilize
  • Specialized
29 4.1
to detoxicate
7.5
to decontaminate
  • Specialized
9 7.0
to purify
30 4.6

Surface Forms

detoxicate infinitive
detoxicated past
detoxicated past participle
detoxicating present participle
detoxicates third person singular

Morphology

detoxicate = toxic (semi-transparent) = de + toxic + ate

The meaning is fairly inferable from 'toxic', but the word is built with a combined de- ... -ate pattern rather than a simple one-affix step that is fully obvious to many B1 learners.

Etymology

Detoxicate comes from de- meaning 'remove' and tox- meaning 'poison', the same root you see in the familiar word toxic. So, to detoxicate something is to 'remove poison' or harmful substances and make it safe.