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Definition of pollute

pollute

/pəˈluːt/
pol · lute
Adjective:polluted
•
Past Simple:polluted
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Past Participle:polluted
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Present Participle:polluting
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pollute Lexical Profile

pollute Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To contaminate an environment, such as water, air, or soil, with harmful, poisonous, or foul-smelling substances.

Example

"Runoff from agricultural fertilizers can severely pollute local rivers and groundwater."

2

To corrupt, defile, or degrade the moral, cultural, or intellectual integrity of someone or something.

Example

"Critics argued that sensationalist rumors were beginning to pollute public discourse."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for pollute

• Nearby Words

pollster
polltaker
pollutant
pollute
polluter
pollution
polly

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Latin 'pollutus', the past participle of 'polluere' (to soil, defile, or contaminate), formed from the prefix 'por-' (forth) and 'luere' (to wash or smear with filth).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pollute. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pollute
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