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
If accidentally ingested, contaminants such as glass could cause dental damage, laceration of the mouth or throat, laceration or perforation of the intestine, and other serious injuries.
—
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 4 Mar. 2026
Food waste is the biggest contaminant.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
In the past, scientists have taken a number of approaches to this problem, such as heat treatment, hydroponics, liquid salts (known as ionic liquids) and electro-deoxidation that on Earth is used to break down contaminants in wastewater.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Hazardous contaminants present at these sites that can increase the risk of cancer – such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs – are pervasive in soil and water.
—Andres B. Sanchez Alvarado, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contaminant
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 4 Mar. 2026
Food waste is the biggest contaminant.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
In the past, scientists have taken a number of approaches to this problem, such as heat treatment, hydroponics, liquid salts (known as ionic liquids) and electro-deoxidation that on Earth is used to break down contaminants in wastewater.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Hazardous contaminants present at these sites that can increase the risk of cancer – such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs – are pervasive in soil and water.
—Andres B. Sanchez Alvarado, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contaminant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminant
Noun
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The Cape Fear River supplies drinking water to more than 500,000 residents, but contamination from the expansion project would disproportionately harm people in low-income and minority populations.—
Patrick Sisson,
Scientific American,
9 Mar. 2026
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From small towns along the Mississippi to suburban cities like Crest Hill, the drinking water of more than 400,000 Illinoisans is at risk of contamination.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Those guardrails are in place because air pollutants that come from the generators, like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and ‘fine particulate matter’ are known to cause lung and heart health issues when inhaled.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
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More recent air news New research suggests some air pollutants can significantly alter insect behavior, science journalist Gennaro Tomma writes in National Geographic.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contaminant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminant. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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