polluteverb [ T ]
uk/pəˈluːt/us/pəˈluːt/B2 to make an area or substance, usually air, water, or soil, dirty or harmful to people, animals, and plants, especially by adding harmful chemicals:
The pesticides used on many farms are polluting the water supply.
We won't invest in any company that pollutes the environment.
figurative Many complain that broadcasters pollute the airwaves with sensationalism and sleaze.
More examples
- We should respect the environment and not pollute it.
- The fertilizers and pesticides used on many farms are polluting the water supply.
- Oil from the wrecked tanker polluted more than 40 miles of the Normandy shoreline.
- The fund provides money to clean up chemically polluted industrial sites.
- High concentrations of toxic elements were found in the polluted areas of the sea.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Environmental issues
- air pollution
- biodegrade
- biotic index
- carbon capture
- carbon credits
- carbon-neutral
- defoliant
- dumping ground
- eco-footprint
- ecology
- emission
- environmentally friendly
- exhaustible
- natural resources
- particulate
- photochemical smog
- preservation
- preservationist
- reclamation
- recycle
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Making things dirty & untidy