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
However, one of the hardest pieces to pin down has always been audience travel, the invisible wave of carbon pollution that follows every concert.
—
Adam Gardner, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
He is known for his bold advocacy work in documenting the realities of oil spills and environmental pollution in communities, often at great personal risk, to create powerful documentaries that amplify the voices of the youth.
—Aniebiet Ntui, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Gustafson has been in cases where dozens of such insurance firms have been mediating over when the pollution occurred, and which insurance policy was in force at the time.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Decades later, when pollution let up, their wings lightened again.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Adam Gardner, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
He is known for his bold advocacy work in documenting the realities of oil spills and environmental pollution in communities, often at great personal risk, to create powerful documentaries that amplify the voices of the youth.
—Aniebiet Ntui, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Gustafson has been in cases where dozens of such insurance firms have been mediating over when the pollution occurred, and which insurance policy was in force at the time.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Decades later, when pollution let up, their wings lightened again.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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Lithium batteries, other toxic material elevate risk Rahn pointed to lithium batteries in electric vehicles as a new source of contamination, which historically wasn’t a major concern.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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And if there's a bite mark, chances are some contamination has happened because animals can carry bacteria and parasites in their saliva.—
Amy Brightfield,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Leading up to the protests, the hashtag #NepoBaby had been trending in the country, largely to criticize the extravagant lifestyles of local politicians' children and call out corruption, NPR previously reported.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
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Apart from lifting the ban on social media, the protesters’ other demands included that the Prime Minister resign and that Nepal establish an independent watchdog body similar to an ombudsman to monitor corruption.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This finding suggests that pollutants are embedded during the manufacturing process and can leach out with minimal contact.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
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Olis said coke oven emissions are among some of the most toxic air pollutants.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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