as in pollutants
something that is or that makes impure
a filter to remove contaminants from the drinking water
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Recent Examples of contaminants
While popular tampons contain chemical and heavy metal contaminants, menstrual cups and discs are typically made from medical grade silicone.
—
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 8 June 2026
This year, Consumer Reports tested 49 more formulas and found concerning levels of contaminants in 26 of them.
—Rachel Fobar, Daily News, 7 June 2026
The screens on your windows and doors—though small—can still allow dirt, dust, pollen, and other contaminants inside.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Because these levels lasted months, experts are still trying to figure out how the contaminants could affect the local cancer risk.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Forty-six percent of post-consumer footwear waste is re-wearable, while the remaining 4 percent is contaminated and hindered from recycling due to damage from moisture, paint, heavy dirt, chemicals or other contaminants.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
The water flows through another screen which removes any contaminants not picked up by the sedimentation tank.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Research has found that when people remove their exposures, the levels of these contaminants in their bodies decrease over the course of several years.
—Mara Hoplamazian, NPR, 2 June 2026
If dad spends a lot of time in his home office, an air purifier will keep the air fresh and free of contaminants.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 8 June 2026
This year, Consumer Reports tested 49 more formulas and found concerning levels of contaminants in 26 of them.
—Rachel Fobar, Daily News, 7 June 2026
The screens on your windows and doors—though small—can still allow dirt, dust, pollen, and other contaminants inside.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Because these levels lasted months, experts are still trying to figure out how the contaminants could affect the local cancer risk.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Forty-six percent of post-consumer footwear waste is re-wearable, while the remaining 4 percent is contaminated and hindered from recycling due to damage from moisture, paint, heavy dirt, chemicals or other contaminants.
—Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
The water flows through another screen which removes any contaminants not picked up by the sedimentation tank.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Research has found that when people remove their exposures, the levels of these contaminants in their bodies decrease over the course of several years.
—Mara Hoplamazian, NPR, 2 June 2026
If dad spends a lot of time in his home office, an air purifier will keep the air fresh and free of contaminants.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminants
pollutants
Noun
-
Health problems can stem from the chemicals themselves and from secondary pollutants formed when those chemicals combine with ozone already in the air.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
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Coal ash ponds near Schahfer infiltrate the area’s groundwater, which carries pollutants throughout the community and puts residents’ and the local ecosystem’s health at risk.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contaminants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminants. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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