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   ster·i·lize

   /ˈsterəˌlīz/

   verb

   • 1. make (something) free from bacteria or other living microorganisms: "babies' feeding equipment can be cleaned and sterilized" Similar disinfectpurifyfumigatedecontaminatesanitizepasteurizecleancleansetechnical:autoclaverare:depuratedepolluteOpposite contaminate
   • 2. deprive (a person or animal) of the ability to produce offspring, typically by removing or blocking the sex organs: "she fell pregnant despite having been sterilized" Similar vasectomizehysterectomizerare:ovariectomizeoophorectomizeeunuchizecastrategeldneutercutcaponizeemasculatespayalterinformal:fixdoctor
   • ▪ make (land or water) unable to produce crops or support life: "a Scandinavian lake has been sterilized by rain made acid"

   Derivatives

   • 1. sterilizable adjective
   • 2. sterilizer noun

   Scrabble Points: 18

   • S

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

   • I

     1

   • L

     1

   • I

     1

   • Z

     10

   • E

     1

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