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
Winter compost doesn't generate enough heat to remove contaminants.
—
Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
Pet dander and pollen are common indoor contaminants, too.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside, 29 Jan. 2026
To keep the warm air moving and filter out contaminants, change air filters at least every season.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
Scientists and remediation professionals have clashed over which contaminants homeowners ought to test for after a fire.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
All exterior surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned before painting, as hidden contaminants can remain even on surfaces that look clean.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
As another plus, atmospheric water is free of the contaminants often present in ground sources, such as heavy metals and nitrates.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Those same frigid conditions, however, also make the polar craters efficient traps for modern contaminants, the study suggests.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Keller’s answer was a gravity‑fed countertop system built from medical‑grade stainless steel and engineered to remove PFAS, lead, microplastics, chlorine and dozens of other contaminants faster than the usual suspects.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
Pet dander and pollen are common indoor contaminants, too.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside, 29 Jan. 2026
To keep the warm air moving and filter out contaminants, change air filters at least every season.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
Scientists and remediation professionals have clashed over which contaminants homeowners ought to test for after a fire.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
All exterior surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned before painting, as hidden contaminants can remain even on surfaces that look clean.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
As another plus, atmospheric water is free of the contaminants often present in ground sources, such as heavy metals and nitrates.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Those same frigid conditions, however, also make the polar craters efficient traps for modern contaminants, the study suggests.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Keller’s answer was a gravity‑fed countertop system built from medical‑grade stainless steel and engineered to remove PFAS, lead, microplastics, chlorine and dozens of other contaminants faster than the usual suspects.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminants
pollutants
Noun
-
Currently, sewage and industrial waste drops from culvert pipes onto rocks below, creating splashing that releases airborne pollutants.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Recent studies have suggested that microplastics — most often found in the environment, air, water and food — can carry pollutants into human organs and cause health complications, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular issues and cell damage.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contaminants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminants. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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