as in contaminants
something that is or that makes impure
filtered the pollutants out of the water
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Recent Examples of pollutants
These long cylinders of glacial ice packed with layers of dust, pollutants, and smoke are frozen time capsules that scientists can use to recreate past environmental conditions.
—
Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026
This mass incineration of metal would result in a steep increase in concentrations of potentially dangerous pollutants such as aluminum oxide and lithium in the upper atmosphere, which could lead to ozone depletion and temperature changes.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2026
That testing measures the concentration and emission rate of pollutants released through exhaust stacks to ensure facilities comply with environmental regulations.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Then, floodplains will play a critical role in absorbing runoff and pollutants.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Opponents argue that xAI understated the amount of pollution that will be emitted by its turbines in its permit application, with particular concerns around smog-forming nitrogen oxides and other pollutants that can be harmful to human health, including formaldehyde and airborne particulate matter.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Depending on the winds, the pollutants can also get carried over long distances, Cleetus said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Some chemicals are more difficult to capture than others, and environmental conditions such as temperature, sunlight or airflow can influence how efficiently samplers absorb pollutants.
—Yaw Edu Essandoh, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026
This mass incineration of metal would result in a steep increase in concentrations of potentially dangerous pollutants such as aluminum oxide and lithium in the upper atmosphere, which could lead to ozone depletion and temperature changes.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2026
That testing measures the concentration and emission rate of pollutants released through exhaust stacks to ensure facilities comply with environmental regulations.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Then, floodplains will play a critical role in absorbing runoff and pollutants.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Opponents argue that xAI understated the amount of pollution that will be emitted by its turbines in its permit application, with particular concerns around smog-forming nitrogen oxides and other pollutants that can be harmful to human health, including formaldehyde and airborne particulate matter.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Depending on the winds, the pollutants can also get carried over long distances, Cleetus said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Some chemicals are more difficult to capture than others, and environmental conditions such as temperature, sunlight or airflow can influence how efficiently samplers absorb pollutants.
—Yaw Edu Essandoh, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollutants
contaminants
Noun
-
At the compressor stations, the natural gas produced from wells is processed so that water and other contaminants are removed.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Studies have shown how lead particles that fell to the ground were kicked back up into the air again where people could inhale them, along with other contaminants.—
Armin Sorooshian,
The Conversation,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollutants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollutants. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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