as in contaminant
something that is or that makes impure
swimming in the lake is banned until the contamination is identified and neutralized
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Recent Examples of contamination
The cheese, produced by the Ambriola Company, was initially recalled in late November after routine testing found Listeria contamination.
—
Jenna Anderson, Health, 12 Jan. 2026
Numerous soil-testing efforts had already found contamination above state standards.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Health and safety work, including the removal of asbestos and lead contamination, are among the reasons why the renovation is taking place, the outlet added.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
The source of Apple Valley’s contamination is still unidentified, Saam said.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contamination
Jenna Anderson, Health, 12 Jan. 2026
Numerous soil-testing efforts had already found contamination above state standards.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Health and safety work, including the removal of asbestos and lead contamination, are among the reasons why the renovation is taking place, the outlet added.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
The source of Apple Valley’s contamination is still unidentified, Saam said.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contamination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contamination
Noun
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Although lead is one of the most common and dangerous contaminants left behind after fires, federal and state disaster officials have traditionally tested soil for 17 toxic metals, including cancer-causing arsenic and toxic mercury.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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Indeed, topsoil — if successfully seeded with grass and left undisturbed — can generally limit exposure to backfill contaminants buried as far as six feet down, Schroeck and a Wayne State University engineer who works with soils said.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Freep.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Semiconductor manufacturing requires huge amounts of ultra-clean water to rinse residue from silicon chips during the fabrication process, resulting in wastewater that contains pollutants, including heavy metals, which can be toxic to aquatic ecosystems and humans.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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Now, its ability to do that for many air pollutants is under threat.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contamination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contamination. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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