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 next time new science reveals that a chemical is much more toxic, or that the amount of pollution released from a factory had been underestimated and would cause legally unacceptable health risks, the agency would not be able to react.
—
Lisa Song, ProPublica, 7 Jan. 2026
However, there are multiple sources of industrial emissions in South Memphis, and pollution cannot be easily traced back to one source.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
The ambitious goal was to end water pollution entirely and make all of the nation’s waters safe for swimming and fishing within a decade.
—James Salzman, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
Light winds and temperature inversions, when cooler air is trapped near the ground, can allow pollution to build up, sometimes leading to hazy skies.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Lisa Song, ProPublica, 7 Jan. 2026
However, there are multiple sources of industrial emissions in South Memphis, and pollution cannot be easily traced back to one source.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
The ambitious goal was to end water pollution entirely and make all of the nation’s waters safe for swimming and fishing within a decade.
—James Salzman, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
Light winds and temperature inversions, when cooler air is trapped near the ground, can allow pollution to build up, sometimes leading to hazy skies.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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Even some homes that remain standing are unlivable due to smoke, ash and asbestos contamination.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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The project involves removing asbestos and lead contamination, updating the facilities to be compliant with accessibility laws, and upgrading electrical and ventilation systems.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Conditions were only made worse by recent military defeats, crippling sanctions, corruption, and an unparalleled water crisis.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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The improvement at Eskom, which provides 80% of the country’s power generation, comes after years of mismanagement, corruption scandals, and bailouts for ongoing debt problems.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Semiconductor manufacturing requires huge amounts of ultra-clean water to rinse residue from silicon chips during the fabrication process, resulting in wastewater that contains pollutants, including heavy metals, which can be toxic to aquatic ecosystems and humans.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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Now, its ability to do that for many air pollutants is under threat.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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