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microbicidal

microbicidal

1 7.7
Able to kill germs like bacteria and viruses
  • adjective
  • /ˌmaɪkroʊˈbaɪsɪdəl/
  • Specialized
: microbicida
  • Doctors recommend using microbicidal hand sanitizers in hospitals to prevent infections.

Examples

  • A microbicidal coating was applied to the surfaces to reduce the spread of viruses.

  • The laboratory tested several microbicidal solutions to ensure the equipment was free of harmful germs.

  • This cream is microbicidal.

  • The new formula is microbicidal and eco-friendly!

  • Doctors recommend using microbicidal hand sanitizers in hospitals to prevent infections.

  • The laboratory tested several microbicidal solutions to ensure the equipment was free of harmful germs.

  • A microbicidal coating was applied to the surfaces to reduce the spread of viruses.

Synonyms

antiseptic
vsmicrobicidal
  • Specialized
10 4.9

Free from germs and able to kill them

targets killing microorganisms rather than overall cleanliness
antimicrobial
vsmicrobicidal
  • Specialized
3 5.1

That kills or stops the growth of germs that cause disease

highlights killing action rather than only preventing growth
germicidal
vsmicrobicidal
1 6.8

Able to kill germs or stop them from growing

is focused on killing or destroying microorganisms rather than just stopping growth
biocidal
vsmicrobicidal
  • Specialized
7.7

Able to kill harmful living things such as bacteria or insects

is limited to killing microorganisms like bacteria and viruses
antimicrobic
vsmicrobicidal
  • Specialized
6.6

Able to kill germs and stop their growth

emphasizes killing or destruction rather than merely inhibiting growth

How Microbicidal

microbicidal
  • Specialized
1 7.7
antiseptic
  • Specialized
9 3.7

Surface Forms

microbicidal positive

Morphology

microbicidal = microbe (transparent) = microbe + cidal

Formed from 'microbe' plus the productive suffix '-cidal' meaning 'killing', so the adjective clearly denotes ability to kill microbes.

Etymology

Microbicidal breaks into micro- meaning 'small', as in microscope, and -cidal meaning 'to kill', as seen in pesticide. So microbicidal describes something that 'kills' very small living things like bacteria and viruses.