Synonyms of pollute

pollute

verb

pə-ˈlüt 

as in to contaminate

to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable

outmoded factories polluting the air

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contaminate
• poison
• taint
• befoul
• infect
• defile
• dirty
• foul
• soil
• dilute
• sully
• stain
• besmirch
• blacken
• muddy
• smudge
• adulterate
• spoil
• rot
• corrupt
• foul up
• mire
• water down
• smirch
• grime
• begrime
• doctor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purify
• clean
• clarify
• cleanse
• purge
• clear
• distill
• decontaminate
• filter
• sterilize
• disinfect
• sanitize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pollute contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pollute are contaminate, defile, and taint. While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy.

the polluted waters of the river

When can contaminate be used instead of pollute?

The words contaminate and pollute can be used in similar contexts, but contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

water contaminated by industrial wastes

When is defile a more appropriate choice than pollute?

The words defile and pollute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration.

defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

When is it sensible to use taint instead of pollute?

The synonyms taint and pollute are sometimes interchangeable, but taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

tainted meat

a politician's tainted reputation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pollute

The solution is to support federal and state legislation that encourages lower-cost, less-polluting renewable energy to speed up the transition away from environmentally damaging fossil fuels. — Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

Plastics degrade into microplastics, which in humans have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and other health issues, and which are polluting ecosystems from coral reefs to Antarctica. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 26 June 2026

The California Air Resources Board has said transportation is responsible for about 38% of these emissions, while the next-most-polluting sector, industrial sources, is responsible for 22% of emissions. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

Compared with synthetic fibers, which slough off microplastics that pollute waterways, land and air, natural fibers can be grown or raised in ways that sequester carbon, improve soil health and reduce inputs like pesticides, resulting in a lower environmental footprint, Pingree said. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 22 June 2026