Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
sterile

ster·ile

sterile

 
 
pronunciation:
ste rl
features:
Word Combinations (adjective), Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: free of live bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms; uncontaminated; sterilized.
synonyms:
antiseptic, sanitary
antonyms:
contaminated, septic, unsterile
similar words:
aseptic, clean, disinfected, hygienic, pure, sterilized, uncontaminated
definition 2: not able to produce offspring; infertile.
synonyms:
barren, infertile
antonyms:
fecund, fertile, virile
similar words:
fruitless, impotent
definition 3: lacking or nearly devoid of vegetation; barren.
Fire turned the forest into a sterile plain.
synonyms:
barren
antonyms:
fertile, fruitful
similar words:
fruitless, infertile, waste
definition 4: lacking ideas, results, vitality, or the like; impotent; fruitless.
a sterile discussion
synonyms:
barren, fruitless, impotent
antonyms:
creative, fruitful, original
similar words:
arid, futile, ineffective, unproductive, useless, worthless
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: sterility (n.)
Word Builder: sterile +
  • sterilize:
    to make sterile.
Word Explorer
See
  bacteria, hygiene, reproduction