smog

noun

ˈsmäg How to pronounce smog (audio)
Definition of smognext
as in haze
an atmospheric condition in which suspended particles in the air rob it of its transparency the city's smog was once so bad that darkness often prevailed, even at noon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 smog The elevation differences cause temperature inversions, where the warm air traveling over the ridges traps the cooler air closer to the ground, along with the smog and pollution. — Daliah Singer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026 The summer blend is meant to help limit the chances of smog in the Metro Detroit area. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 The legislation expands smog check exemptions for certain collector cars that have been relegated to driveways and garages due to the challenge of passing a smog check. — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 Even a partial dismantling of the rules would mean more pollutants such as smog, mercury and lead — and especially more tiny airborne particles that can lodge in lungs and cause health problems, the AP analysis found. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smog
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smog
  1. haze
  2. fog
  3. cloud
  4. mist
Noun
  • Finding out what creates the lower haze on Venus unexpectedly solved another mystery.
    — Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Malaysia’s haze crisis is being driven largely by forest and peat fires in neighboring Indonesia, made worse by the dry weather.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of haze
Noun
  • The most widespread fog with the lowest visibilities will be located across Scotland, Hoke, Cumberland, Sampson, Wayne, and Wilson counties.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The fog rises from Mount Tamalpais like a spirit, slowly billowing over spears of feathery redwoods and fluffs of fragrant bay laurels.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of fog
Noun
  • While Sony is expected to eventually announce a PlayStation handheld that natively plays PS5 games on next-gen AMD graphics, its PlayStation Portal streams games instead, either from your home PlayStation or from Sony’s cloud.
    — Jay Peters, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Its clouds of gas and dust form a physical shape resembling an unopened, blooming rosebud, glowing rosy-pink from dust heated by these stars.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of cloud
Noun
  • The lightweight mist also detangles and conditions without the weight of a traditional cream leave-in.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Other offerings include hydrating and volumizing shampoo and conditioner duos; a Deep Moisture Repair Hair Mask; a SahaScalp purifying scrub, and a recent trio of hair and body fragrance mists inspired by different Indian cities and states.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of mist

Browse Nearby Words

smocking
smog
smoggy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smog. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on smog

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about smog

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