as in contaminant
something that is or that makes impure
filtered the pollutants out of the water
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Recent Examples of pollutant
Currently, sewage and industrial waste drops from culvert pipes onto rocks below, creating splashing that releases airborne pollutants including hydrogen sulfide.
—
Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
All the salt, dirt, litter and pollutants picked up from roads when snow gets plowed can contaminate water bodies and kill aquatic plants and animals.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent studies have suggested that microplastics — most often found in the environment, air, water and food — can carry pollutants into human organs and cause health complications, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular issues and cell damage.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Bringing in more outdoor air reduces the concentration of these pollutants in your home.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
All the salt, dirt, litter and pollutants picked up from roads when snow gets plowed can contaminate water bodies and kill aquatic plants and animals.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent studies have suggested that microplastics — most often found in the environment, air, water and food — can carry pollutants into human organs and cause health complications, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular issues and cell damage.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Bringing in more outdoor air reduces the concentration of these pollutants in your home.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollutant
Noun
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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
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Until now, identifying what liquid surrounds a specimen required opening the jar, risking evaporation, contamination, and irreversible damage.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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This also results in a loss of water pressure within the distribution system, and that could lead to contamination entering the system through backflow or back siphonage.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollutant. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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