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 trees also provide more than a $1 million in air pollution removal benefits, according to the division.
—
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
In the West, an unprecedented March heat wave made worse by planet-warming pollution also further depleted the dismal snowpack from a winter filled with more blue skies than snowflakes.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
One way apparel consumers can do just that is by eschewing apparel which contributes to microplastic pollution and instead embrace clothing made with natural fibers like cotton.
—Catherine Salfino, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026
Without improving wastewater management and reducing pollution, the river could quickly return to the same condition.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
In the West, an unprecedented March heat wave made worse by planet-warming pollution also further depleted the dismal snowpack from a winter filled with more blue skies than snowflakes.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
One way apparel consumers can do just that is by eschewing apparel which contributes to microplastic pollution and instead embrace clothing made with natural fibers like cotton.
—Catherine Salfino, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026
Without improving wastewater management and reducing pollution, the river could quickly return to the same condition.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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Water testing in October 2017 showed possible contamination in the water faucets, Gross said.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
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According to reports, while no major damage has been confirmed so far, the next 48 hours will be critical as manufacturers inspect cleanrooms, recalibrate sensitive lithography equipment, and assess whether operations can safely resume without risking yield losses or contamination.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The causes of displacement are largely attributed to political conflict, corruption, violence and economic hardship, including widespread poverty.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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Though the official inquest failed to determine whether Zac jumped to escape danger or to kill himself, The New Yorker’s Keefe winds up blaming the death on the corruption of London in recent decades by oligarchs, con men, and international criminals.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Health dangers of pollution Ozone and particle pollution are considered two of the most widespread and dangerous pollutants measured by the US Environmental Protection Agency.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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Trees and plants sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, filter pollutants from the air and reduce urban temperatures through shade, according to The Nature Conservancy.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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