sterile

[ster-il, -ahyl] / ˈstɛr ɪl, -aɪl /

ADJECTIVE

unproductive, clean

Synonyms

STRONGEST

antiseptic arid barren bleak desolate futile hygienic impotent infertile

WEAK

aseptic bare dead decontaminated desert disinfected dry effete empty fallow fruitless gaunt germ-free infecund pasteurized sanitary septic sterilized unfruitful uninfected unprofitable unprolific vain waste without issue

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful contaminated fertile fruitful potent productive profitable unclean unsanitary unsterile

WEAK

dirty

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When produced and released in large numbers, sterile male flies mate with wild female flies, which then lay unfertilized eggs, according to the USDA.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

US officials said some four million sterile flies are now being released weekly from the sky, and that some four million more in the pupae stage were being deployed in ground release chambers.

From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026

Eradication was possible through the sterile insect technique, which uses gamma radiation to irradiate screwworm pupae and create sterile male flies.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Currently, facilities in the US and Mexico are only capable of producing about 100 million sterile flies per week.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Her sock was hardly sterile, but at least it would soothe the pain and cover the welt.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

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