anthropogenic

adjective

an·​thro·​po·​gen·​ic ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈje-nik How to pronounce anthropogenic (audio)
: of, relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature
anthropogenic pollutants
anthropogenically adverb

Examples of anthropogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Climate Central reported that the exceptionally warm waters that fueled Melissa’s rapid intensification were made up to 700 times more likely because of anthropogenic climate change. Sara Sneath, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025 Black delivered that report before the management committee of EXXON, who purposefully buried those conclusions and continued to fund lobbyists, think tanks, and politicians who vociferously denied the reality of anthropogenic climate change. Ed Simon september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025 And yet, this same reliance on sound that makes their communication so spectacular, leaves them especially vulnerable to anthropogenic noise intruding into their environment. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025 Advertisement Of course, anthropogenic factors, while significant, amount to relatively little compared to the natural interplay of wind, water, and temperature that fosters storms. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anthropogenic

Word History

Etymology

anthropo- + -genic

First Known Use

circa 1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anthropogenic was circa 1883

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anthropogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropogenic. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

Medical Definition

anthropogenic

adjective
an·​thro·​po·​gen·​ic -pə-ˈjen-ik How to pronounce anthropogenic (audio)
: of, relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature
anthropogenic sources of pollution

More from Merriam-Webster on anthropogenic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!