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
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Recent Examples of pollution
Air pollution contributes to thousands of premature deaths and emergency room visits each year.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 May 2026
The result has been a stunning amount of pollution and potential long-term environmental damage.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 30 May 2026
The organization works to combat air pollution across Southern California and the Inland Empire.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
According to a 2024 study published in Water Research, average surface-water concentrations reach roughly 100 ng/L for cocaine itself, and around 250 ng/L for benzoylecgonine, with some pollution hotspots reaching concentrations in the thousands.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 May 2026
The result has been a stunning amount of pollution and potential long-term environmental damage.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 30 May 2026
The organization works to combat air pollution across Southern California and the Inland Empire.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
According to a 2024 study published in Water Research, average surface-water concentrations reach roughly 100 ng/L for cocaine itself, and around 250 ng/L for benzoylecgonine, with some pollution hotspots reaching concentrations in the thousands.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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Some team members visited pig slaughterhouses, where the GI tract is typically removed from the meat to prevent contamination.—
Sara Talpos — Undark,
STAT,
1 June 2026
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The environmental activist who won $333 million for hundreds of people affected by utility company PG&E’s groundwater contamination is now turning her focus to data centers.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Rubio acknowledged that the current arrangement may not be permanent, but described it as a significant departure from the corruption and patronage structures that dominated Venezuela during the Chávez and Maduro years.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
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Becerra has not been accused of wrongdoing in the corruption case, though that did not stop Steyer’s campaign from suggesting he might be indicted in eleventh-hour TV ads that drew a cease-and-desist warning from Becerra’s attorney.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
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The research team found that millions of bacteria floating in tiny fog droplets are alive, growing and breaking down pollutants in the air.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
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Both indoor and outdoor pollutants, including dirt, pollen, hair, and dander, settle on windowsills over time, leaving a layer of dust that should be removed before liquid cleaners are introduced to the surface.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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