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
My experience includes negotiating SB 54 on plastic pollution and writing Proposition 4, which voters approved by a 20% margin to fund clean water, wildfire prevention and climate resilience projects.
—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
This includes providing factories with technical guidance on advanced chemical management, pollution reduction schemes and maintaining international environmental standards.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
In response to some severe pollution problems, the country built a new generation of high-efficiency coal plants and retired some of the worst polluters.
—ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
Because if India can industrialize by moving more directly into electricity, powered increasingly by solar, batteries and modern electric technologies, then emerging economies may no longer have to choose between poverty and pollution, or between development now and cleanup later.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
This includes providing factories with technical guidance on advanced chemical management, pollution reduction schemes and maintaining international environmental standards.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
In response to some severe pollution problems, the country built a new generation of high-efficiency coal plants and retired some of the worst polluters.
—ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
Because if India can industrialize by moving more directly into electricity, powered increasingly by solar, batteries and modern electric technologies, then emerging economies may no longer have to choose between poverty and pollution, or between development now and cleanup later.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollution
Noun
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On Darlene Lane, the flow of contamination increased in late April and continues to seep into their neighbor’s yard.—
Nick Bowlin,
ProPublica,
18 May 2026
-
Code violations, hazardous contamination and tenants are potential issues.—
Graham Womack
May 18,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
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The Criminal Division will not allow foreign actors to exploit the American financial system and use it as a safe haven for the proceeds of their corruption.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The update reflects the state’s evolving understanding of its most dangerous pollutants, which has shifted over the decades from visible pollutants, such as smog, to more invisible ones that cause cancer, heart disease and other health harms.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Although the highest level fan was a little loud, the air purifier was effective at quickly getting rid of the scents and pollutants quickly.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollution. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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