POLLUTE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'pollute' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pollute are contaminate , defile , and taint . While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," pollute , sometimes interchangeable with contaminate , distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy. // the polluted waters of the river

Q: When can 'contaminate' be used instead of 'pollute'?

The words contaminate and pollute can be used in similar contexts, but contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source. // water contaminated by industrial wastes

Q: When is 'defile' a more appropriate choice than 'pollute'?

The words defile and pollute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration. // defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

Q: When is it sensible to use 'taint' instead of 'pollute'?

The synonyms taint and pollute are sometimes interchangeable, but taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination. // tainted meat // a politician's tainted reputation

pollute

verb

pə-ˈlüt

Definition of pollute next

as in to contaminate

to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable outmoded factories polluting the air

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb pollute contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pollute are contaminate, defile, and taint. While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy.

the polluted waters of the river

When can contaminate be used instead of pollute?

The words contaminate and pollute can be used in similar contexts, but contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

water contaminated by industrial wastes

When is defile a more appropriate choice than pollute?

The words defile and pollute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration.

defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

When is it sensible to use taint instead of pollute?

The synonyms taint and pollute are sometimes interchangeable, but taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

tainted meat

a politician's tainted reputation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pollute Or that clean energy sources pollute the environment more than fossil fuels. —

Benji Jones, Vox, 28 Jan. 2025 These substances can endanger human health and the environment, polluting air, soil, groundwater, and the ocean. —

Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan. 2025 The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said Friday evening that evacuation orders for as many as 1,500 people were lifted, but residents were told to stay indoors in case the fire pollutes the air with toxic gases. —

Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025 The 36-year-old singer shared the snap on her Instagram Stories Sunday, Jan. 12, showing the back of her house appearing to be engulfed in flames as smoke polluted the air. —

Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for pollute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollute

Verb

This included managing massive radioactive waste sites and ensuring the material there doesn't further contaminate nearby communities.

— CBS News, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2025
This included managing massive radioactive waste sites and ensuring the material there doesn’t further contaminate nearby communities.

— Tara Copp and Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2025