as in poisoning
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
outmoded factories polluting the air
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Recent Examples of polluting
In the years since the Source of Truth was completed, purges multiplied across the state, with toxic wastewater gushing to the surface, polluting farmland and water sources.
—
Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 17 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit accused Sacramento of creating a public nuisance and violating a Fish and Game Code section prohibiting polluting California’s waters.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
In 1991, during the Gulf War, Iraq intentionally released hundreds of millions of barrels of oil into the Persian Gulf, polluting the water used by Gulf desalination plants.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Cows are responsible for many millions of pounds of nitrogen every year, polluting Florida’s springs, rivers and estuaries.
—Harper West, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polluting
Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 17 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit accused Sacramento of creating a public nuisance and violating a Fish and Game Code section prohibiting polluting California’s waters.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
In 1991, during the Gulf War, Iraq intentionally released hundreds of millions of barrels of oil into the Persian Gulf, polluting the water used by Gulf desalination plants.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Cows are responsible for many millions of pounds of nitrogen every year, polluting Florida’s springs, rivers and estuaries.
—Harper West, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polluting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polluting
Verb
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After Kouri Richins was charged with murder for fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl, a friend of the Utah mother of three had a difficult time reconciling that.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Richins, 35, faced multiple felony charges for allegedly poisoning Eric Richins, her late husband, in March 2022.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Although banned in Venezuela, mercury remains prevalent in mining areas, contaminating rivers and exposing workers and nearby communities to toxic effects.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
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These compounds do not break down in the environment and can easily migrate into the air, dust, food and soil, also contaminating nearly half the drinking water in the United States.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Played by cisgender actress Kathleen Turner, Charles proved to be one of the more divisive characters from Friends, tainting its cultural legacy for some critics.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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Infected people and dogs had to be prevented from tainting water sources.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polluting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polluting. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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