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View synonyms for carcinogen

carcinogen

[ kahr-sin-uh-juhn, -jen, kahr-suh-nuh-jen, -noh- ]

noun

, Pathology.
  1. any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer.


carcinogen

/ ˈkɑːsɪnəˌdʒɛn; kɑːˈsɪnədʒən /

noun

  1. pathol any substance that produces cancer


carcinogen

/ kär-sĭnə-jən /

  1. A substance or agent that can cause cells to become cancerous by altering their genetic structure so that they multiply continuously and become malignant. Asbestos, DDT, and tobacco smoke are examples of carcinogens.


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Derived Forms

  • ˌcarcinoˈgenic, adjective
  • ˌcarcinogenˈicity, noun

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Other Words From

  • car·cin·o·gen·ic [kahr-s, uh, -n, uh, -, jen, -ik, -noh-], adjective
  • car·ci·no·ge·nic·i·ty [kahr-s, uh, -noh-j, uh, -, nis, -i-tee], noun
  • anti·car·cino·gen noun
  • anti·carcin·o·genic adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of carcinogen1

First recorded in 1935–40; carcino- + -gen

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Word History and Origins

Origin of carcinogen1

C20: from Greek karkinos cancer + -gen

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Example Sentences

When the bacteria blooms, it can emit thousands of different kinds of toxins, including saxitoxin, which causes paralysis, and the liver toxin and carcinogen microcystin.

She grew to realize that her mom, aunts, and friends all used the skin-lightening creams she’d borrowed after school, many of which contain toxins and even carcinogens.

It can cause scalp irritation and hair loss as well as being a known carcinogen.

In 2015, the World Health Organization commissioned a report that warned e-cigarettes might damage the lungs and expose users to carcinogens.

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That’s 200 times higher than the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s recommended risk level for limiting worker exposure to any carcinogen.

The coal ash deposits have heavy concentrations of hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen.

One study found it to be 30 times more potent a carcinogen.

Further, estrogen or carcinogen exposure over a lifetime leads to the development of cancer.

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carcino-carcinogenesis