Antiseptics are commonly used as a disinfectant to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms on the surface of the skin. However, there are numerous synonyms for antiseptics, some of which include germicides, bactericides, disinfectants, sanitizers, and sterilants. Germicides are used to kill germs and bacteria while bactericides are chemicals that are specifically designed to kill bacteria. Disinfectants generally refer to agents that are used to kill germs on surfaces while sanitizers are designed to reduce the number of germs and bacteria on hands and surfaces. Sterilants refer to chemicals or compounds that are designed to completely eliminate all microorganisms on a given surface. Overall, these synonyms are typically used interchangeably and all refer to the same basic concept of eliminating harmful microorganisms from a given surface or area.