1
as in contamination
the action or process of making the environment dirty or harmful
The company designed devices to reduce the pollution of the world's oceans.
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2
as in corruption
something that makes (someone) less pure, honest, or moral
They refused to let their children play violent video games, believing that they caused pollution in a developing mind.
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pollution
Instead, the country will seek compensation for services carried out alongside Oman, including navigation assistance, search and rescue, security and safety services, and environmental cleanup services in the event of pollution, the official said.
—
Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
For example, a serum containing vitamin C and ferulic acid may provide an additional layer of defense against free-radical damage from UV exposure and environmental pollution.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 5 June 2026
Temperatures have risen in oceans faster due to climate change, super-charging storms and drought, ravaging coral reefs across the world, and endangering species in tandem with overfishing and industrial pollution.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
The burning of coal is one of the largest drivers of air pollution, releasing fine particles known to be harmful to respiratory and cardiovascular health.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
For example, a serum containing vitamin C and ferulic acid may provide an additional layer of defense against free-radical damage from UV exposure and environmental pollution.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 5 June 2026
Temperatures have risen in oceans faster due to climate change, super-charging storms and drought, ravaging coral reefs across the world, and endangering species in tandem with overfishing and industrial pollution.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
The burning of coal is one of the largest drivers of air pollution, releasing fine particles known to be harmful to respiratory and cardiovascular health.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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What’s more, handling a mummy exposes it to potential contamination from modern bacteria and fungi, further clouding the picture of its microbial makeup.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Today, dozens of his devices have been installed in city and suburban schools, as well as in residences, but the city’s lead contamination problem is huge.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Plots often involved ecological disaster, war, corruption, corporate exploitation and extraction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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Allegations of corruption, fraud, insider trading, cronyism, loss of competent intelligence and reckless actions including a new war.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Pollution concerns are top of mind across much of Asia but less so in many advanced economies where the most dangerous pollutants tend to be less visible.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
3 June 2026
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In the near future, environmental teams could use pocket-sized sensors to detect microscopic pollutants in real time.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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