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
Scientists and environmental advocates have spent decades trying to reduce the amount of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, which stretches 200 miles along the mid-Atlantic coast and is bordered by Maryland and Virginia.
—
Michael Copley, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
While the 2024 ruling has been repealed, coal plants will still be held to 2012 standards, which placed emission limits for mercury, acid gases, and other toxic pollution from power plants.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
If it is repealed, the government loses one of its strongest tools to reduce the pollution driving stronger hurricanes, extreme heat and rising costs.
—Yoca Arditi-Rocha, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Dozens of Independence homeowners in recent weeks have packed city meetings to raise concerns and ask questions about potential light and sound pollution, wildlife habitat destruction, wastewater management and debt.
—Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Michael Copley, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
While the 2024 ruling has been repealed, coal plants will still be held to 2012 standards, which placed emission limits for mercury, acid gases, and other toxic pollution from power plants.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
If it is repealed, the government loses one of its strongest tools to reduce the pollution driving stronger hurricanes, extreme heat and rising costs.
—Yoca Arditi-Rocha, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Dozens of Independence homeowners in recent weeks have packed city meetings to raise concerns and ask questions about potential light and sound pollution, wildlife habitat destruction, wastewater management and debt.
—Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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Monitoring teams were stationed around the demolition zone to check for any radioactive contamination released during the implosion.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
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Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice and other frozen products are being recalled due to potential glass contamination.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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It isn’t accompanied with authorities investigating disappearances, murders, corruption or even necessarily halting the flow of drugs.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
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But this candid and absorbing memoir is also a stark reminder of the corruptions of power, the uncertainties of revolution and the frequent viciousness of human nature.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That area is also dealing with effects of other toxic pollutants stemming from the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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Of all fossil fuels, coal emits the most carbon dioxide per unit of energy, and burning it releases deadly pollutants into the air.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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