as in polluting
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
a supply of drinking water that was contaminated by a toxic waste dump
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Recent Examples of contaminating
Although banned in Venezuela, mercury remains prevalent in mining areas, contaminating rivers and exposing workers and nearby communities to toxic effects.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
These compounds do not break down in the environment and can easily migrate into the air, dust, food and soil, also contaminating nearly half the drinking water in the United States.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
Toxic materials, including mercury used to extract gold from ore, pour into rivers, contaminating the water and harming the workers, wildlife and surrounding communities that rely on local fish and wildfire.
—Antonio MacHado Allison, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
Don't risk contaminating the soil, starting a fire, or worse to remove a stump.
—Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Researchers avoided contaminating the samples with other plastics by substituting standard tools with those made of aluminum, cotton and other non-plastic material, the release noted.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026
And crews cannot use pressure washers or sandblasting to remove the graffiti because of concern of contaminating the beach or ocean.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Can ice really act as a contaminating vector?
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 27 Feb. 2026
The firestorm ravaged Pacific Palisades and Altadena, killing 31, destroying more than 16,000 structures and contaminating others with toxins and heavy metals.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
These compounds do not break down in the environment and can easily migrate into the air, dust, food and soil, also contaminating nearly half the drinking water in the United States.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
Toxic materials, including mercury used to extract gold from ore, pour into rivers, contaminating the water and harming the workers, wildlife and surrounding communities that rely on local fish and wildfire.
—Antonio MacHado Allison, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
Don't risk contaminating the soil, starting a fire, or worse to remove a stump.
—Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Researchers avoided contaminating the samples with other plastics by substituting standard tools with those made of aluminum, cotton and other non-plastic material, the release noted.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026
And crews cannot use pressure washers or sandblasting to remove the graffiti because of concern of contaminating the beach or ocean.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Can ice really act as a contaminating vector?
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 27 Feb. 2026
The firestorm ravaged Pacific Palisades and Altadena, killing 31, destroying more than 16,000 structures and contaminating others with toxins and heavy metals.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminating
Verb
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California’s standards have spurred important technological innovations for vehicles, including new types of less-polluting gasoline and vehicles that emit no pollution at all.—
Ann E. Carlson,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
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The only thing standing in the way of progress is the powerful plastics and fossil fuel lobbyists — hired by the same companies responsible for polluting our planet and bodies with plastic and its toxic chemicals.—
Shanna Swan,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the Middle Ages, local churchgoers whispered of clannish Jews poisoning wells to kill Christian children and steal their blood for their rituals.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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After Kouri Richins was charged with murder for fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl, a friend of the Utah mother of three had a difficult time reconciling that.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contaminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminating. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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