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Glite Dictionary
to fumigate

to fumigate

14 7.6
To treat a place with strong chemicals to kill pests and germs
  • verb
  • /ˈfjuːmɪˌɡeɪt/
translation icon : fumigar
  • The authorities decided to fumigate the restaurant after reports of a cockroach infestation.

Examples

  • Leo, could you get the place fumigated?

    Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)

  • The stated goal of Plan Colombia is to help the Colombian police aerially fumigate the country's thousands of acres of coca and poppy farms.

    Academic text (2001)

  • We're just clearing out while we fumigate the place.

    Woody Woodpecker (2017)

  • I'd like to see if I can fumigate this here chair.

    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

  • Better have this place fumigated quickly.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Due to a bee hive issue the exterminators will be fumigating all week long.

    666: Kreepy Kerry (2014)

  • They're fumigating the school.

    Dead Genesis (2010)

  • So I had my office fumigated, and then I went to the kitchen and threw away Kate's coffee mug, as well as anything in the refrigerator with Kate's name on it.

    I Don't Know How She Does It (2011)

  • In the Pacific Northwest, where much of the U.S. potato crop is grown, farmers often spend $250 an acre chemically fumigating their fields to get rid of pests.

    Academic text (2003)

  • We need to fumigate the house to get rid of the pests before we can move in.

Synonyms

to disinfect
vsto fumigate
18 3.7

To clean a surface, wound, or tool with chemicals to kill germs

does the same specifically by applying chemical gases to areas
to decontaminate
vsto fumigate
  • Specialized
9 7.0

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

focuses on disinfecting or killing pests with chemical gases rather than pollutant removal
to fume
vsto fumigate
  • Specialized
1 7.4

To treat a place or object with gas to kill pests

means the same but names treatment using chemical gases specifically
to decon
vsto fumigate
  • Jargon
1 8.4

To remove dangerous substances from people, equipment, or areas

is narrower in purpose, targeting disinfection and pest elimination via chemical gases
to disinfest
vsto fumigate
  • Specialized
8.8

To remove insects and other pests from a place using chemicals or traps

also covers killing microorganisms and often uses chemical gases for treatment
to degerm
vsto fumigate
7.4

Remove germs from something by cleaning or using a disinfectant

is broader because it also eliminates pests using chemical gases

Antonyms

to contaminate
248 4.9

To make things like water or soil unsafe by adding harmful substances

How Thorough

to exterminate
  • NSFW
60 6.9
to sterilize
  • Specialized
29 4.1
to fumigate
14 7.6
to disinfect
18 3.7
to spray
209 1.0
to wipe
531 1.0

Surface Forms

fumigate infinitive
fumigated past
fumigated past participle
fumigating present participle
fumigates third person singular

Morphology

fumigate = fume (semi-transparent) = fume + ate

The meaning ('treat with smoke/fumes') directly connects to 'fume', but orthographic/phonological changes (loss of 'e' and additional consonant) may obscure the relation for some learners.

Etymology

Fumigate comes from an old Latin word fumus, meaning 'smoke'. It shares this root with fume and perfume, so to fumigate is to 'use smoke' or strong fumes to clean or kill pests, which is why it now means treating a place with chemical fumes to disinfect or remove insects.