Synonyms for sterile

modified

1. Incapable of producing young

   infertile, impotent, childless, infecund, barren, issueless, without issue.

   Antonyms fertile*, productive, potent.

2. Incapable of producing vegetation

   desolate, fallow, waste, desert, arid, dry, barren, unproductive, fruitless, unfruitful, bleak, gaunt; see also empty 1.

   Antonyms rich*, productive, fertile.

3. Scrupulously clean

   antiseptic, septic, sterilized, disinfected, decontaminated, germ-free, sterilized, uninfected, sanitary, hygienic, pasteurized; see also pure 2.

   Antonyms dirty*, infected, contaminated.

4. Without intellectual interest

   uninspiring, stupid, stale; see dull 4, shallow 2.

5. Unprofitable

   fruitless, profitless, unproductive; see worthless 1, useless 1.

sterile and infertile imply incapability of producing offspring or fruit, as because of some disorder of the reproductive system; barren and unfruitful are specifically applied to a sterile woman or to plants or soil; impotent is specif. applied to a man who cannot engage in sexual intercourse, especially because of an inability to have an erection. All of these words have figurative uses sterile thinking, an infertile mind, a barren victory, unfruitful efforts, impotent rage