Thesaurus

pollute

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of pollute

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

outmoded factories polluting the air

Synonyms of pollute

befoul, contaminate, defile, foul, poison, taint

Words Related to pollute

begrime, besmirch, blacken, dirty, foul up, grime, mire, muddy, smirch, smudge, soil, stain, sully

corrupt, rot, spoil

adulterate, doctor

dilute, water down

Near Antonyms of pollute

clarify, clean, cleanse, clear, distill (also distil), purge

disinfect, sanitize, sterilize

Antonyms of pollute

decontaminate, purify

Synonym Discussion of pollute

contaminate, taint, pollute, defile mean to make impure or unclean. contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

- water contaminated by industrial wastes

taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

- tainted meat
- a politician's tainted reputation

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

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

Learn More about pollute

See words that rhyme with pollute Dictionary: Definition of pollute Medical Dictionary: Definition of pollute Spanish Central: Translation of pollute Nglish: Translation of pollute for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pollute for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pollute? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

voracity

play

the quality or state of being insatiable

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games