pollute

1 of 2

verb

pol·​lute pə-ˈlüt 

polluted; polluting

transitive verb

1

a

: to make ceremonially or morally impure : defile

b

: debase sense 1

… using language to deceive or mislead pollutes language.

—Linda C. Lederman

2

a

: to make physically impure or unclean : befoul, dirty

b

: to contaminate (an environment) especially with chemical or manufacturing waste

polluter noun

pollutive

pə-ˈlü-tiv 

adjective

polluter

2 of 2

noun

pol·​lut·​er

-ütə(r)

plural -s

: one that pollutes

Synonyms of pollute

Verb

• contaminate
• poison
• taint

Choose the Right Synonym for pollute

contaminate, taint, pollute, defile mean to make impure or unclean.

contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

water contaminated by industrial wastes

taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

tainted meat

a politician's tainted reputation

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

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

Examples of pollute in a Sentence

Verb

Miles of beaches were polluted by the oil spill.

Car exhaust pollutes the air.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Many off-grid communities have long relied on costly, polluting diesel generators. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Years ago, William had plotted to pollute the the ley lines — the source of all witches and warlocks’ magical powers — which was foiled by a Mary, Graves and their coven sister Tamora (Keegan Connor Tracy). — Mya Copeland, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Wastewater injection operations are banned within a half-mile of public water wells unless regulators hold a hearing to ensure that this activity will not pollute groundwater. — Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 5 Oct. 2026

That’s what the GOP does by deregulating and lowering environmental standards so energy companies can pollute our air and water with no regard for the citizens. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin pollutus, past participle of polluere, from por- (akin to Latin per through) + -luere (akin to Latin lutum mud, Greek lyma dirt, defilement) — more at for

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pollute

• acute
• aleut
• astute
• beetroot
• breadfruit
• cheroot
• commute
• compute
• confute
• dilute
• dispute
• elute

Kids 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

pollutive

-ˈlüt-iv 

adjective