1
as in contamination
the action or process of making the environment dirty or harmful
The company designed devices to reduce the pollution of the world's oceans.
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2
as in corruption
something that makes (someone) less pure, honest, or moral
They refused to let their children play violent video games, believing that they caused pollution in a developing mind.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pollution
The scientists plan to return to the Weißseespitze at least one more time to try and retrieve what’s left of the ice for further insight into how atmospheric pollution has changed in the rapidly warming, post-industrial world.
—
Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026
Further air pollution would come from the frequent rocket launches needed to deploy and maintain the constellation.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The government has even directed pollution control boards to allow the use of fuels such as kerosene, biomass, and coal by the hospitality sector, as the world’s most populous country prioritizes LPG supply to households.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Over time, many plants have evolved from simple sanitation systems into resource-recovery facilities that generate power, reclaim materials and reduce environmental pollution.
—Ahmed Ibrahim Yunus, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026
Further air pollution would come from the frequent rocket launches needed to deploy and maintain the constellation.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2026
The government has even directed pollution control boards to allow the use of fuels such as kerosene, biomass, and coal by the hospitality sector, as the world’s most populous country prioritizes LPG supply to households.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Over time, many plants have evolved from simple sanitation systems into resource-recovery facilities that generate power, reclaim materials and reduce environmental pollution.
—Ahmed Ibrahim Yunus, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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The investigation is continuing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Once opened, air exposure and cross-contamination from utensils can introduce moisture and bacteria, shortening their shelf life.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That technical term means a calculation error can cause memory corruption inside the system.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
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Five years ago, Martin had been involved in a major gang case that prosecutors eventually dismissed following the fallout from the corruption and racist texting scandal involving Antioch police.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Three-quarters of Americans want the government to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant.—
Fran Silverman,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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