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
Understanding the air quality index and its impact on health
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a vital tool designed to help the public interpret local air pollution levels and their potential health effects, per AirNow.
—
Hannah Parry
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Scientists track air quality with the air quality index, or AQI, which incorporates different pollution sources like ozone and fine particulates.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 4 Aug. 2025
Do your part to stop pollution by bringing this toxic trash to the library.
—Sarah Z. Sleeper, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Wildfire smoke is one of several sources of a type of air pollution called PM, fine particulate matter in which the particles are no larger than 2.5 microns wide.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Hannah Parry
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Scientists track air quality with the air quality index, or AQI, which incorporates different pollution sources like ozone and fine particulates.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 4 Aug. 2025
Do your part to stop pollution by bringing this toxic trash to the library.
—Sarah Z. Sleeper, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Wildfire smoke is one of several sources of a type of air pollution called PM, fine particulate matter in which the particles are no larger than 2.5 microns wide.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
-
The ground and area around where the nest had been did not have any further contamination.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
4 Aug. 2025
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Banks involved in financial loans tied to the properties also would want any contamination removed to avoid liability, Ross said.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Palestinian leader's two-decade rule has been increasingly subject to claims of corruption, calls for new elections and challenges from both Israel and Hamas.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
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Some residents also accuse local authorities of corruption during the building of the facility.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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When air is stagnant, pollutants don't get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
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There are also possible health risks when running underground, primarily due to the reduced ventilation, and a subsequent buildup of pollutants like particulate matter in the air, which can be hard on the lungs.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside Online,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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