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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pollution
The companies on the list have undertaken important and often difficult work to reduce the carbon pollution from their operations, energy consumption and supply chains.
—
Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Despite industry claims, nonessential (tourist and commuter) helicopters contribute little to the local economy, and the impact to tax-paying residents of noise and air pollution, the reduction of property values, and the senseless and avoidable loss of life, has a far higher cost.
—Eric Katzman, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
The film addresses pressing environmental concerns in Thailand, particularly dust pollution, which has become a severe issue over the past decade.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 May 2025
After Nat dies from dust pollution, her husband, March, is consumed by grief.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Despite industry claims, nonessential (tourist and commuter) helicopters contribute little to the local economy, and the impact to tax-paying residents of noise and air pollution, the reduction of property values, and the senseless and avoidable loss of life, has a far higher cost.
—Eric Katzman, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
The film addresses pressing environmental concerns in Thailand, particularly dust pollution, which has become a severe issue over the past decade.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 May 2025
After Nat dies from dust pollution, her husband, March, is consumed by grief.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
-
Three lots of a drug designed to treat various urinary tract infections have been recalled because the white round tablets might have black spots from microbial contamination.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
-
Inspectors said Trump’s club was out of compliance with many rules regarding food be protected from contamination.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
The film's themes of corruption and the brave whistleblowers who expose it feel particularly apt in this current moment.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
5 June 2025
-
Hochul chose him after his predecessor, Benjamin Brian, resigned amid charges of corruption, which were eventually dropped.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Many of these pollutants can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress that can damage cells and tissues, ultimately resulting in health problems.—
Paul McClure
June 03,
New Atlas,
3 June 2025
-
The report attributed the symptoms to the high levels of pollutants — including, near Lybrook, hydrogen sulfide, a compound that gives off the sulfur smell that Amari associates with his headaches.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share