pollute

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pollute contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pollute are contaminate, defile, and taint. While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy.

the polluted waters of the river

When can contaminate be used instead of pollute?

The words contaminate and pollute can be used in similar contexts, but contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

water contaminated by industrial wastes

When is defile a more appropriate choice than pollute?

The words defile and pollute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration.

defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

When is it sensible to use taint instead of pollute?

The synonyms taint and pollute are sometimes interchangeable, but taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

tainted meat
a politician's tainted reputation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pollute Loosening wastewater rules will pollute soil and negatively impact crops even more, McBride said. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025 Trump has derided the Education Department as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology. Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025 What’s elevating the health risk are the toxic chemicals from plastics, paint from the house and furniture that also pollute the air after fires destroy buildings, homes and cars, said Anthony Wexler, director of the Air Quality Research Center at UC Davis. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025 What is the potential for neighbors to pollute the water? Ron Lieber, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pollute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollute
Verb
  • If somehow they had been left out for too long or contaminated before they were frozen—by a dirty prep area or dirty utensils, for example—the freezing process does not kill the pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses.
    Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But it has also been badly contaminated by the chemical manufacturing industry.
    Li Cohen, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Until Henry momentarily excuses himself from the table, that is, and the person or persons behind these winky-wink messages tell her to poison Henry ASAP or the menacing guy currently hiding in her apartment will kill her boy.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Calls to poison control centers for pediatric melatonin ingestion increased 530 percent between 2012 and 2021, according to one analysis published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Apologies to the late John Lennon, but that song has been tainted for many. Need a break?
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The river is tainted with harmful toxins from industrial waste, trash and untreated sewage.
    Kimberly Dickson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pollute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pollute. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pollute

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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