as in contaminant
something that is or that makes impure
filtered the pollutants out of the water
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Recent Examples of pollutant
The researchers will focus on nitrogen dioxide, an air pollutant that is typically produced when cars, trucks, power plants and other equipment burn fuel.
—
Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Air purifiers with technologies like REME® and PHI-cell® offer optimal air cleansing by reducing pollutants and dust particles in the air.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
The devices enabled vehicles to far exceed legal limits for nitrogen oxides, a pollutant that can cause respiratory illnesses and contributes to smog.
—CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Recognized as a particularly pesky class of anthropogenic pollutants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can take root in land once given the opportunity, according to the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC).
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Air purifiers with technologies like REME® and PHI-cell® offer optimal air cleansing by reducing pollutants and dust particles in the air.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
The devices enabled vehicles to far exceed legal limits for nitrogen oxides, a pollutant that can cause respiratory illnesses and contributes to smog.
—CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Recognized as a particularly pesky class of anthropogenic pollutants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can take root in land once given the opportunity, according to the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC).
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollutant
Noun
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Although lead is one of the most common and dangerous contaminants left behind after fires, federal and state disaster officials have traditionally tested soil for 17 toxic metals, including cancer-causing arsenic and toxic mercury.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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Indeed, topsoil — if successfully seeded with grass and left undisturbed — can generally limit exposure to backfill contaminants buried as far as six feet down, Schroeck and a Wayne State University engineer who works with soils said.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Freep.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Even some homes that remain standing are unlivable due to smoke, ash and asbestos contamination.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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The project involves removing asbestos and lead contamination, updating the facilities to be compliant with accessibility laws, and upgrading electrical and ventilation systems.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollutant. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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