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
Ozone pollution can endanger vulnerable populations like children, older adults and people with heart or lung disease and asthma.
—
Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025
As the stars age, the helium builds up like too much industrial pollution.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2025
In some areas, the pollution comes from drifting wildfire smoke.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to rescind the 2009 endangerment finding under the Clean Air Act, which said that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution and endanger public health.
—Pam McVety, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025
As the stars age, the helium builds up like too much industrial pollution.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2025
In some areas, the pollution comes from drifting wildfire smoke.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to rescind the 2009 endangerment finding under the Clean Air Act, which said that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution and endanger public health.
—Pam McVety, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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This could include, but is not limited to, major vermin contamination.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The borough manager in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, points to a firefighter training facility as the source of contamination that averaged 32 times the federal limit over the past year.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In 1870, lawyers founded the City Bar to confront corruption in the courts under Tammany Hall.—
Muhammad U. Faridi,
New York Daily News,
17 Aug. 2025
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Adams had been facing federal corruption charges but these were dropped by the Trump administration.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Wetlands also filter pollutants from runoff, protect drinking water and provide vital habitat for wildlife.—
Howard Learner,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Aug. 2025
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Runoff often carries pollutants from land into waterways, and water can pick up bacteria, sediments, fertilizers and other contaminants, impacting the clarity and safety of the water, according to the 2025 Long Island Sound Beach Report.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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