Library / English Dictionary

VITIATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Take away the legal force of or render ineffective

Example:

invalidate a contract

Synonyms:

invalidate; vitiate; void

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "vitiate" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

vitiation (nullification by the destruction of the legal force; rendering null)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make imperfect

Example:

nothing marred her beauty

Synonyms:

deflower; impair; mar; spoil; vitiate

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "vitiate" is one way to...):

damage (inflict damage upon)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "vitiate"):

cloud; corrupt; defile; sully; taint (place under suspicion or cast doubt upon)

blemish; deface; disfigure (mar or spoil the appearance of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

Example:

corrupt the morals

Synonyms:

corrupt; debase; debauch; demoralise; demoralize; deprave; misdirect; pervert; profane; subvert; vitiate

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "vitiate" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "vitiate"):

carnalise; carnalize; sensualise; sensualize (debase through carnal gratification)

infect (corrupt with ideas or an ideology)

lead astray; lead off (teach immoral behavior to)

poison (spoil as if by poison)

bastardise; bastardize (change something so that its value declines; for example, art forms)

suborn (incite to commit a crime or an evil deed)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

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