verb
1.
to debase by making impure or unclean
feared her child's morals would be contaminated by others
Synonyms: defile, pollute, soil, taint; compare taint 1
Related Word: corrupt, debase, debauch, deprave, pervert, vitiate; harm, injure, spoil
Contrasted words: better, elevate, improve
Antonyms: purify
2.
to render unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements
water contaminated by sewage
Synonyms: befoul, foul, pollute
Related Word: infect; poison; dirty, soil
Antonyms: purify