detoxify
verb
de·tox·i·fy
| \ (ˌ)dē-ˈtäk-sə-ˌfī
\
\
detoxified;
detoxifying
Definition of detoxify
1a
: to remove a harmful substance (such as a poison or toxin) or the effect of such from
b
: to render (a harmful substance) harmless
2
: to free (someone, such as a drug user or an alcoholic) from an intoxicating or an addictive substance in the body or from dependence on or addiction to such a substance
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Other Words from detoxify
detoxification
\ (ˌ)dē-ˌtäk-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of detoxify in a Sentence
a special tea that is supposed to detoxify the body
a drug addict who is being detoxified
Recent Examples on the Web
In the 25 January issue of ACS Applied Nano Materials, Farha and his colleagues reported using a MOF to detoxify chemical weapons. — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "Crystalline nets harvest water from desert air, turn carbon dioxide into liquid fuel," 3 Sep. 2019 Authorities have launched multiple lead-prevention operations: cleaning up neighborhood schools, detoxifying surrounding streets, and setting up a stricter decontamination zone for experts working in the cathedral. — Washington Post, "World Digest: Aug. 13, 2019," 13 Aug. 2019 The gene causes the chestnut to produce oxalate oxidase, an enzyme that detoxifies the blight’s acid. — Julia Rosen, latimes.com, "Should we resurrect the American chestnut tree with genetic engineering?," 25 June 2019 But people and animals with the sickle-cell trait have to break down and detoxify misshapen red blood cells their entire lives. — Quanta Magazine, "A New Way to Predict Infection’s Toll," 30 Aug. 2016 For all his faults, David Cameron did a good job of detoxifying the party and recruiting bright young candidates who looked more like modern England. — The Economist, "The question is not who will lead the Conservative Party, but whether it will survive," 13 June 2019 First up is the Stimulating Scalp Scrub, designed to remove product build-up and detoxify the scalp. — Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "Frank Body's First-Ever Hair-Care Products Include a Scalp Scrub and Mask — and There’s Already a Waitlist," 17 May 2019 Can a colon cleanse detoxify your body to its purist form? — Mackenzie Wagoner, Vogue, "What’s the Best Way to Cleanse? A Guide to Detoxing in 2019," 1 Jan. 2019 The other is the word being hijacked by entrepreneurs, quacks, and charlatans to sell a bogus treatment that allegedly detoxifies your body of toxins you’re supposed to have accumulated. — Brittney Mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Detox Diets Aren't Real or Healthy — and Body "Toxins" Don't Exist," 1 Jan. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detoxify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for detoxify
detoxify
verb
English Language Learners Definition of detoxify
: to remove a poisonous or harmful substance from (something)
: to cause (someone) to stop using drugs or alcohol by providing special help and treatment
See the full definition for detoxify in the English Language Learners Dictionary
detoxify
verb
de·tox·i·fy
| \ (ˈ)dē-ˈtäk-sə-ˌfī
\
\
detoxified;
detoxifying
Medical Definition of detoxify
1a
: to remove a poison or toxin or the effect of such from
b
: to render (a harmful substance) harmless
2
: to free (as a drug user or an alcoholic) from an intoxicating or an addictive substance in the body or from dependence on or addiction to such a substance
the clinic started detoxifying him by gradually lowering his dosage— J. M. Markham
: to become free of addiction to a drug or alcohol
Other Words from detoxify
detoxification
\ (ˌ)dē-ˌtäk-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən
\
noun
\
noun