Synonyms of pollute

pollute

verb

pə-ˈlüt 

as in to contaminate

to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable

outmoded factories polluting the air

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contaminate
• poison
• taint
• befoul
• infect
• defile
• dirty
• foul
• soil
• dilute
• sully
• stain
• besmirch
• blacken
• muddy
• smudge
• adulterate
• spoil
• rot
• corrupt
• foul up
• mire
• water down
• smirch
• grime
• begrime
• doctor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purify
• clean
• clarify
• cleanse
• purge
• clear
• distill
• decontaminate
• filter
• sterilize
• distil
• disinfect
• sanitize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pollute contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pollute are contaminate, defile, and taint. While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy.

the polluted waters of the river

When can contaminate be used instead of pollute?

The words contaminate and pollute can be used in similar contexts, but contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

water contaminated by industrial wastes

When is defile a more appropriate choice than pollute?

The words defile and pollute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration.

defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

When is it sensible to use taint instead of pollute?

The synonyms taint and pollute are sometimes interchangeable, but taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

tainted meat

a politician's tainted reputation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pollute

The extended life of a coal-burning generating unit confirms the worst fears of environmental groups ― who have watched warily as potential data center energy demand forecasts spiked ― that massive new demand loads could prolong the use of polluting coal and gas. —Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025

Over the past few decades, the combination of these three kinds of rules has pushed automakers to build cars that are significantly more fuel efficient and pollute less. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 29 July 2025

It’s only been a couple of years since AI songs first started polluting the web, but audio generators like Suno and Udio have improved in subtle yet meaningful ways, simulating human imperfections and quirks more effectively. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 14 Aug. 2025

The old East German factories, which once dumped chemicals into the river, stopped polluting almost overnight. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025