detoxify
verb
Did you know?
These days, detoxify can mean to free (someone) from a substance addiction (and yes, it's the source of detox, a more recent word that also refers to getting drugs or alcohol out of a person's system). Originally, however, detoxification was something done to things rather than to people. In its earliest uses - from about 1905 - detoxify referred to the removal of poison, or of poisonous or damaging properties, from a harmful substance, or to the removal of poisonous or toxic substances from something contaminated (such as the bloodstream).The specific application to removing poison from an addict is relatively new, dating to the mid-20th century. Today, detoxify is also often used generally in reference to counteracting the activity or effect of anything harmful (such as propaganda).
Examples of detoxify in a Sentence
Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2024
Good salt, like Himalayan salt, offers anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties and includes up to 84 trace minerals that support bodily functions.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 5 July 2024
Volcanic facials are famous for their impactful detoxifying impurities.
—Celeste Polanco, Essence, 27 June 2024
Ultimately, the most important thing that America can do in the world is detoxify its own democracy, which is the main reason a Trump victory would be so dangerous.
—Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for detoxify 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detoxify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Detoxify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detoxify. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
detoxify
verb
J. M. Markham
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