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
The authorization that xAI obtained is known as a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit — a federal air quality standard that applies to significant sources of pollution like utility-sized power plants.
—
Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
And the pollution problem may still be an active issue.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide are the key ingredients in ground-level ozone pollution, which combine on hot days to create a smog that fouls the air.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Power producers found the plants were too expensive to operate and carried risks tied to toxic air pollution, waste, and climate-warming emissions.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
And the pollution problem may still be an active issue.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide are the key ingredients in ground-level ozone pollution, which combine on hot days to create a smog that fouls the air.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Power producers found the plants were too expensive to operate and carried risks tied to toxic air pollution, waste, and climate-warming emissions.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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If this happens, some experts might argue that using compounding pharmacies can come with a separate set of potential risks, such as contamination, inconsistent dosing or preparation errors.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
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Environmental and health experts warn contamination in some regions already exceeds safety standards, posing long-term risks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Vatican says fighting corruption in the mineral-rich country and insisting on the correct uses of political authority are expected to be themes of Leo’s visit, which starts Wednesday with his arrival in Yaounde, the capital.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The election reflects Peru’s deep political instability — nine presidents in ten years — amid voter anger over crime and corruption, though the country’s economy has remained relatively resilient.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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It was ranked in the top 1% of counties in the nation for cancer risk from stationary industrial air pollutants in a 2018 EPA report.—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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The plant also emits nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, ammonia and other hazardous pollutants.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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