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Germicidal vs Antimicrobial - What's the difference?

germicidal | antimicrobial |

As adjectives the difference between germicidal and antimicrobial

is that germicidal is that kills pathogenic organisms; disinfectant while antimicrobial is tending to destroy or capable of destroying microbes.

As a noun antimicrobial is

an agent that destroys microbes, inhibits their growth, or prevents or counteracts their pathogenic action.

germicidal

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • that kills pathogenic organisms; disinfectant

    • Related terms

    *

    antimicrobial

    English

    Alternative forms

    * anti-microbial

    Adjective

    (-)
  • tending to destroy or capable of destroying microbes
  • inhibiting the growth of microbes
  • preventing or counteracting the pathogenic action of microbes

    • Synonyms

    * antimicrobic

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • an agent that destroys microbes, inhibits their growth, or prevents or counteracts their pathogenic action