The word "vitiate" is a verb that means to make something weaker, less effective, or less valuable. It can refer to both physical things, like a document or a contract, and more abstract ideas, such as morals or character.
When you vitiate something, you take away its strength or validity. For example, if a contract is vitiated, it means that it is no longer legally binding or effective.
In more complex discussions, especially in legal or philosophical contexts, "vitiate" can describe how certain actions or events can undermine principles or standards. For example, one might say, "The introduction of biased information can vitiate the integrity of a research study."
While "vitiate" primarily focuses on weakening or corrupting something, it can also imply a loss of purity or integrity. It can be used in both physical and moral contexts.
Some synonyms for "vitiate" include: - Invalidate - Corrupt - Debase - Diminish - Impair
While "vitiate" itself doesn’t have specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with it, you might find phrases like "to undermine" or "to compromise" that carry a similar meaning in context.
In summary, when you use the word "vitiate," think about making something less effective or corrupting it in some way.