as in contaminant
something that is or that makes impure
swimming in the lake is banned until the contamination is identified and neutralized
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Recent Examples of contamination
There have been multiple incidents of contamination of the river from the area of the airport, including a fuel spill in September 2021 that dumped 1,300 gallons into the river, according to the Southern Conservation Trust.
—
Irene Wright, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Quten Research Institute is recalling Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric Capsules due to possible mold contamination in the raw materials, according to the FDA.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
The supplements—Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric (1,000-milligram capsules)—were initially recalled in December 2025 for mold contamination.
—Amber Brenza, Health, 5 Feb. 2026
Warming a meal completely takes about 15 minutes, with the temperature reaching 55 ºC (131 ºF) to ensure adequate heating that does not damage nutrients and prevents bacterial contamination.
—New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contamination
Irene Wright, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Quten Research Institute is recalling Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric Capsules due to possible mold contamination in the raw materials, according to the FDA.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
The supplements—Qunol Extra Strength Turmeric (1,000-milligram capsules)—were initially recalled in December 2025 for mold contamination.
—Amber Brenza, Health, 5 Feb. 2026
Warming a meal completely takes about 15 minutes, with the temperature reaching 55 ºC (131 ºF) to ensure adequate heating that does not damage nutrients and prevents bacterial contamination.
—New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contamination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contamination
Noun
-
Some engine builders even advise to drain the oil, then add some fresh oil with the drain plug out to flush out any remaining contaminants that did not drain completely.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
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Previous spills in Flint River The headwaters of the Flint River, which flows south all the way to Florida, begin from seepage around the area of the Atlanta airport, meaning any contaminants from that area can reach the river more easily.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Instead of drifting away, those pollutants and smells are concentrating right in your neighborhood.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Chattahoochee Riverkeeper sued Atlanta in federal court in September 2024 after the group’s water monitors detected high levels of bacteria and other pollutants in the wastewater the city was discharging into the river.—
Drew Kann,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contamination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contamination. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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