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
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Recent Examples of pollution
Summer blend gas is more expensive, brewed to keep down higher summertime pollution.
—
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Over the years, Banksy’s artwork has targeted and satirized British politics, American consumerism and gun ownership, classic art masterpieces, celebrity culture, war, global hunger, pollution, climate change and much more.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
As more homeless people moved there, environmental activists, regulators and others threatened lawsuits and regulatory enforcement to reduce the camp’s pollution in the creek.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
While the exact source of the elevated air pollution is yet to be determined, agricultural burning and wildfires in other parts of the country are likely contributors.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Over the years, Banksy’s artwork has targeted and satirized British politics, American consumerism and gun ownership, classic art masterpieces, celebrity culture, war, global hunger, pollution, climate change and much more.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
As more homeless people moved there, environmental activists, regulators and others threatened lawsuits and regulatory enforcement to reduce the camp’s pollution in the creek.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
While the exact source of the elevated air pollution is yet to be determined, agricultural burning and wildfires in other parts of the country are likely contributors.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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If contamination or overdevelopment disrupts those aquifer systems, species like Gveleshapia kvevri could be lost before science even documents their existence.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Mead Johnson fortifier used in the head-to-head clinical trial sponsored by Abbott was acidified to prevent bacterial contamination.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Over the past decade, United States Attorney’s Offices in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia have charged dozens of individuals in corruption and fraud schemes involving college coaches, players and athletic department personnel.—
Robert L. Boone,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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Four people were charged Tuesday in connection a federal corruption investigation that has ensnared NYC Councilmember Farah Louis and a nonprofit providing homeless services to the city.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Without needing batteries or wires, the Moso Natural air-purifying bag attracts particles out of the air like a magnet, and continuously works to remove odors and harmful pollutants from your home, filled with just one powerful ingredient -- moso bamboo charcoal.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The Iran war has unleashed a toxic mix of chemicals, heavy metals and other pollutants that threaten everything from agriculture to drinking water to people’s health — and will leave behind environmental damage and health risks that could persist for decades, experts said.—
Tammy Webber,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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