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
That choking smog was fueled by air pollution from cars and industry, which became trapped mid-air by mountains and wind patterns.
—
Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025
This level is generally acceptable for the general population; however, individuals who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may experience mild health effects.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Residents are being told to avoid lighting candles, burning incense, using fireplaces, or grilling—activities that can increase indoor particle pollution.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
All penguins face threats created by climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025
This level is generally acceptable for the general population; however, individuals who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may experience mild health effects.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Residents are being told to avoid lighting candles, burning incense, using fireplaces, or grilling—activities that can increase indoor particle pollution.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
All penguins face threats created by climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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Heavy metal toxicity: Reports of heavy metal contamination in turmeric (e.g., lead, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, and other heavy metals) also exist.—
Regina C. Windsor, MPH, RDN,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2025
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Over 1,700 pounds of Cabot Creamery butter recalled: Finding suggests fecal contamination Cold and flu medicine recalled over potential child poisoning: See affected product Where was the apple juice distributed?—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In practice, the memo explained, the reports should be scrubbed of references such as those to prison abuses, government corruption, and locking up dissidents without due process.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
1 May 2025
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That focus on wholesome foods, drug safety, and eliminating corruption in pharmaceuticals and the food industry has justifiably captured public enthusiasm.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Researchers from the University of Texas recently patrolled the neighborhoods in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, and, according to a report by The New York Times, found particles of pollutants five times greater than normal.—
Dana O'Neil,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Now, six key air pollutants have dropped by about 80 percent since the law’s passage, according to this year’s report.—
Lillian Ali,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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