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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pollution
The Copernicus analysis points to a slew of climate records falling last year: The planet endured its hottest day on record in July; each month from January to June was the warmest such month on record; and levels of planet-heating pollution reached unprecedented highs.
—
Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Water pollution has increased because about 80% of untreated wastewater worldwide gets discharged into waterways that supply communities.
—Richard Knight, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
The crash and chemical plume forced the town to evacuate, and residents still fear long-term effects of pollution.
—Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
These neighborhoods have, for generations, carried a heavier burden of pollution and lack of access to opportunity, as well as lower investments in infrastructure.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Water pollution has increased because about 80% of untreated wastewater worldwide gets discharged into waterways that supply communities.
—Richard Knight, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025
The crash and chemical plume forced the town to evacuate, and residents still fear long-term effects of pollution.
—Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
These neighborhoods have, for generations, carried a heavier burden of pollution and lack of access to opportunity, as well as lower investments in infrastructure.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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Rinsing salmon can potentially increase the risk of contamination, says Dr. Farzad.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2025
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This could include, but is not limited to, major vermin contamination.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Confidential finds a powerful political lobbyist shot to death, his apparent suicide highlighting a bizarre turn in Ohio’s largest public corruption case accidentaly uncovered by federal investigators that was nearly concealed by loose super PAC campaign financing rules.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2025
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When their late boss, Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano), is reported to have engaged in corruption tied to drug cartels, Mike and Marcus vow to clear his name.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Wellness benefits: Purifies indoor air Low-maintenance care Reduces harmful pollutants 9.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Biofuels still produce pollutants, but some 98% of the city’s construction sites were free of fossil fuels in 2023.—
Troy Aidan Sambajon,
The Christian Science Monitor,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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