POLLUTE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

pollute

verb

pə-ˈlüt

Definition of pollute next

as in to contaminate

to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable outmoded factories polluting the air

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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

Examples 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 Forty percent of western watersheds in the U.S. have been polluted by mining, and contemporary metal mining is the largest single source of toxic pollution in the country. —

Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024 For others, the fight against a fossil fuel plant continues While Monday's vote marks the end of McKeever's political activism and the risk of a polluting facility near his home, for the residents of Mohave Valley four miles to the south, the fight continues. —

Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, 28 Dec. 2024 Decades of industrial dumping had polluted the water and poisoned its plants and animals. —

Eliza Principe Garcia, Baltimore Sun, 18 Dec. 2024 Water has jumped in importance since the EPA reported that close to half of all of the water coming into our homes is polluted with forever chemicals. —

Jamie Gold, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pollute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pollute

Verb

Other volatile organic compounds are also known to contaminate tap water after fires.

— Pien Huang, NPR, 11 Jan. 2025
In the same vein, any medication exposed to flood waters — even if they’re sealed in screw-top bottles or have snap-on lids — should not be used, because they could be contaminated.

— Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 10 Jan. 2025