polluted; polluting
1
a
: to make ceremonially or morally impure : defile
b
: debase sense 1
using language to deceive or mislead pollutes language—
Linda C. Lederman
Linda C. Lederman
polluter
noun
Examples of pollute in a Sentence
Miles of beaches were polluted by the oil spill.
Car exhaust pollutes the air.
Recent Examples on the Web
In recent weeks, the flaws in the technology have crossed over into absurd territory: For example, by generating a summer reading list of fake books and legal documents polluted with serious errors and fabrications.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
The Hazel Johnson ordinance grew out of a 2020 federal civil rights complaint filed by the Southeast Environmental Task Force and other groups challenging the city’s concentration of polluting industries in certain neighborhoods.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
If values aren’t aligned, revenue can be missed from potential sponsors with a strong sustainability ethos, and conversely, partnering with unethical or polluting organisations can cause reputational risks.
—Claire Poole, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
What if these materials quietly compromise their health, pollute the planet, and support unethical labor practices?
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollute
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Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
The Hazel Johnson ordinance grew out of a 2020 federal civil rights complaint filed by the Southeast Environmental Task Force and other groups challenging the city’s concentration of polluting industries in certain neighborhoods.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
If values aren’t aligned, revenue can be missed from potential sponsors with a strong sustainability ethos, and conversely, partnering with unethical or polluting organisations can cause reputational risks.
—Claire Poole, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
What if these materials quietly compromise their health, pollute the planet, and support unethical labor practices?
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollute
Cite this Entry
“Pollute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollute. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pollute
verb
pol·lute
pə-ˈlüt 
polluted; polluting
: to make impure
especially
: to spoil (as a natural resource) with waste made by humans
industrial wastes polluted the river
Medical Definition
pollute
transitive verb
pol·lute
pə-ˈlüt
polluted; polluting
1
: to make physically impure or unclean
2
: to contaminate (an environment) especially with anthropogenic waste
polluter
noun
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