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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pollution
How red the moon appears depends on factors like pollution rates, cloud coverage and debris, according to Space.com.
—
Allison Kiehl, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Plus, research has shown air pollution from fossil fuel plants can lead to lung cancer, asthma, and heart disease.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Even if humans stop pumping out planet-heating pollution altogether, the Earth may not cool.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 2 July 2025
Senate Bill 89: Water protections Senate Bill 89 would reduce pollution protections for some water resources, including groundwater, and would permit coal mines and other industries to align with federal water definitions — which were weakened in 2023 by the U.S. Supreme Court.
—Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Allison Kiehl, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Plus, research has shown air pollution from fossil fuel plants can lead to lung cancer, asthma, and heart disease.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Even if humans stop pumping out planet-heating pollution altogether, the Earth may not cool.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 2 July 2025
Senate Bill 89: Water protections Senate Bill 89 would reduce pollution protections for some water resources, including groundwater, and would permit coal mines and other industries to align with federal water definitions — which were weakened in 2023 by the U.S. Supreme Court.
—Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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Greenish or iridescent egg white is spoiled from Pseudomonas bacteria, and any black or green spots are also a sign of fungal or bacterial contamination, according to the Egg Safety Center.—
Michelle Darrisaw,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
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Delray Beach was also seeking compensation for the costs and expenses related to the past, present and future investigation, sampling, testing and assessment of the extent of PFAS contamination along with PFAS removal.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2025
Noun
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Ken Paxton, who has served in his current role since 2015, was impeached in 2023 but later acquitted and faced allegations of corruption and taking part in an extramarital affair.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
11 July 2025
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The announcement comes nearly two years after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted on all 16 articles of impeachment related to allegations of corruption and abuse of office.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 July 2025
Noun
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According to environmental and workplace safety experts, denim conceals behind its iconic blue fabric a host of toxic chemical pollutants and processes, as well as gross water overuse, all of which degrade the environment and put workers and communities at risk.—
Simon Mainwaring,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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The agency is also conducting tests on the surfaces of the school, homes and other structures that have been cleaned to make sure all hazardous pollutants have been removed.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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