pollute

Synonym Chooser

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 Since fast fashion exists to keep up with rapidly changing trends, a striking 85% of clothes end up in landfills every year, polluting the environment. Grace Butler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 Activists behind the suit against the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) say that the wastewater contains metal and polluting chemicals used at the South Texas launch site. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025 In addition to damaging vegetation, off-road driving can pollute water sources, threaten sensitive cultural and historical sites, endanger wildlife, and disrupt and compact the soil. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025 The millions of gallons of waste that the pigs generated each year stank horribly and polluted the air and water, turning an otherwise pleasant town into a pigsty. Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pollute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollute
Verb
  • Humans can also get infected by eating raw produce—like leafy greens—that have been contaminated with slug slime because the L3 larvae are shed in the gastropods' slime trail.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The infection is usually contracted by walking barefoot on soil contaminated by the feces of a person or animal who has the infection.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The invisible, odorless gas is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States, killing more than 400 Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Thousands each year are shot, poisoned to suffer, and trapped legally.
    James Powel, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The movement also was tainted by instances of rampant antisemitism, which Khalil disavowed.
    Chelsea Bailey, Gloria Pazmino and Taylor Galgano, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The plaintiffs argue the rhetoric has tainted the policy-making process.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pollute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollute. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pollute

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