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
Plastic pollution remains one of our largest–and growing– environmental threats.
—
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 19 June 2025
Ozone pollution can reach unhealthy levels when exhaust from vehicles, garden and lawn equipment as well as other sources react to heat and sunlight.
—Ramal Nasim, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025
During a round of layoffs, the administration eliminated most of a division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that investigated environmental hazards like heavy metals, air pollution and carcinogens.
—Will Stone, NPR, 18 June 2025
Science has now consistently demonstrated just how permanently damaging their impacts continue to be in our oceans and soils as well as their contribution to air pollution.
—Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 19 June 2025
Ozone pollution can reach unhealthy levels when exhaust from vehicles, garden and lawn equipment as well as other sources react to heat and sunlight.
—Ramal Nasim, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025
During a round of layoffs, the administration eliminated most of a division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that investigated environmental hazards like heavy metals, air pollution and carcinogens.
—Will Stone, NPR, 18 June 2025
Science has now consistently demonstrated just how permanently damaging their impacts continue to be in our oceans and soils as well as their contribution to air pollution.
—Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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The findings come as Southern California beaches near the United States-Mexico border have repeatedly faced closures due to contamination.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
-
The preservative protects against contamination in the larger vials.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2025
Noun
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The law aims to curb corruption and undue influence in federal campaigns.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
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The daughter of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been accused of corruption, misusing public funds, and threatening to assassinate former ally and current president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—
Cecilia Hult,
Fortune,
28 June 2025
Noun
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People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2025
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Because of Memphis' history of exceptionally poor air quality, any new source of pollutants requires permitting and emissions testing.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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