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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of pollution
Extracting uranium for use as nuclear fuel has left extensive groundwater contamination and air pollution across the Southwest, especially on tribal lands, including the Navajo Nation.
—
Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Safe speed limits Urban speed limits of 30 km/h (about 18-19 mph) are known to reduce pollution and crashes.
—Tanya Mohn, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
But in an area beset by industrial pollution, residents are wary of the methane gas turbines helping to power the electricity-hungry behemoth.
—Stephanie Gosk, NBC news, 15 May 2025
Children are not only exposed to rising heat levels, air pollution, and extreme weather conditions, but also will have to grow up grappling with the mental health impacts of climate change—and result is climate anxiety that is being felt by both kids and their parents.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Safe speed limits Urban speed limits of 30 km/h (about 18-19 mph) are known to reduce pollution and crashes.
—Tanya Mohn, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
But in an area beset by industrial pollution, residents are wary of the methane gas turbines helping to power the electricity-hungry behemoth.
—Stephanie Gosk, NBC news, 15 May 2025
Children are not only exposed to rising heat levels, air pollution, and extreme weather conditions, but also will have to grow up grappling with the mental health impacts of climate change—and result is climate anxiety that is being felt by both kids and their parents.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
-
Heed posted warnings Take signs about swimming risks and possible contamination seriously.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
23 May 2025
-
Six schools have closed since the start of the year due to lead contamination, and only two have reopened.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
The series is centered on organized crime and corruption in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, using real-life characters like Al Capone, Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Trump's Justice Department dropped corruption charges against Adams earlier this year.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Brownfields are abandoned or underused properties, often industrial or commercial, where redevelopment is complicated because of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants in the soil.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
-
Higher temperatures also increase preterm birth by increasing levels of the harmful air pollutant called ground-level ozone.—
Sheetal Khedkar Rao,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share