This is the 4570th most frequent Portuguese word.
contamina
"Contamina" means "contaminates" or "pollutes."
In this context, 'contamina' is used to describe harmful bacteria rendering food unsafe to consume.
Uma bactéria contamina alimentos deixados fora da geladeira.
A bacterium contaminates food left out of the refrigerator.
Here, 'contamina' metaphorically applies to false information affecting and altering people's perspectives negatively.
A notícia falsa contamina a opinião pública rapidamente.
The false news contaminates public opinion quickly.
Here, 'contamina' refers to the act of pollution harming and making natural water bodies impure.