as in contamination
something that is or that makes impure
a filter to remove contaminants from the drinking water
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Recent Examples of contaminant
While those tests found no contamination, the consultants did not test for a more comprehensive panel of VOCs, including many hazardous contaminants commonly found in the smoke of urban fires that consume homes, cars, paints, detergents and plastics.
—
Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The combustion process can also create new hazards; scientists were surprised to find airborne nanoparticles of hexavalent chromium, the contaminant made famous by the movie Erin Brockovich, hanging around cleanup sites.
—Katharine Gammon, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Absent scientific evidence clearing him, Joiner is left to press his environmental-contaminant defense.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The county, too, is already grappling with how to ensure the loads are clean of contaminants like paint and plastic.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contaminant
Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The combustion process can also create new hazards; scientists were surprised to find airborne nanoparticles of hexavalent chromium, the contaminant made famous by the movie Erin Brockovich, hanging around cleanup sites.
—Katharine Gammon, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Absent scientific evidence clearing him, Joiner is left to press his environmental-contaminant defense.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The county, too, is already grappling with how to ensure the loads are clean of contaminants like paint and plastic.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contaminant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminant
Noun
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Beyond the initial findings, additional testing conducted along the Potomac River shows how far the contamination spread and how dramatically bacteria levels varied depending on location.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
However, its effects are increasingly visible in the form of algal blooms, fish kills and contamination of drinking water supplies.—
Dinesh Phuyal,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Air quality varies based on the type of pollutants in the cycle and can have dramatic ramifications for those breathing nearby.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
30 Jan. 2026
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Currently, sewage and industrial waste drops from culvert pipes onto rocks below, creating splashing that releases airborne pollutants including hydrogen sulfide.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contaminant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminant. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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