pollute

USAGE SUMMARY

'pollute' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to talk about making something impure or unclean, usually by adding waste or contaminants. For example: "The factory pollutes the river with toxic chemicals every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one has a divine right to pollute the air that others breathe, whether his pollution is a big or small threat to other people's health, or merely a source of discomfort and annoyance.You say that restricting smoking to separate areas has practically ended the passive-smoke problem in America and is "increasingly" solving the problem in Europe.

The Economist

If farmers freely pollute rivers, for instance, higher agricultural exports will increase pollution.

The Economist

National Express trains are terrific when they're on time, which they quite often are, and if you are going to pollute the planet there are more interesting ways to do it than tooling up and down the A12.

The Guardian

Although there have been quibbles, the consensus among those physicists to whom The Economist has spoken is that the data look solid and that Dr Kovac's team have been diligent in their attempts to excise sources of error that might pollute them.

The Economist

American factories cause acid rain that poisons Canadian forests; Indian ones pollute the Ganges, ruining rice paddies in Bangladesh.

The Economist

So carbon prices have collapsed, falling from $20 a tonne in August 2008 to below $5 now (see chart).An oversupply of permits to pollute is an endemic problem.

The Economist

Some types of aquaculture require large amounts of pesticides and pollute the water.

The Economist

"These rich countries pollute the atmosphere," he says as a flash of anger displaces his jovial smile, "and then they profit from it".Making and unmaking paradiseIt sounds wrenching: peaceful denizens of a simple land in harmony with their environment, paying for others' wastefulness.

The Economist

Only if the cost of air capture falls below the cost of an emissions permit will it be economically attractive; otherwise emitters will find it cheaper to buy the right to pollute.

The Economist

It has set an overall limit on emissions, and has issued a corresponding number of permits to pollute to firms covered by the scheme.

The Economist

The demonstrators feared it would pollute the air in their bucolic district outside the city centre.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental issues, use "pollute" to specifically refer to the introduction of harmful substances into the environment. For instance, "Factories that release toxins into rivers pollute the water supply."

Common error

Avoid using "pollute" loosely in contexts where "taint", "corrupt", or "debase" might be more appropriate. "Pollute" is best reserved for situations involving physical contamination, not abstract degradation.

Linguistic Context

The verb "pollute" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. It describes the action of introducing harmful substances or contaminants into an environment, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples of factories polluting rivers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "pollute" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of making something harmful or impure, particularly by introducing unwanted substances. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and commonly employed, particularly in discussions relating to environmental contamination. Ludwig's examples reveal a prevalence in "News & Media", highlighting its relevance in contemporary reporting on environmental issues. When seeking alternatives, "contaminate", "taint", and "foul" are viable options depending on the specific context. Remember to reserve "pollute" for instances involving genuine physical contamination, avoiding overuse in abstract or figurative scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contaminate

Similar to "pollute", but can refer to a broader range of impurities, not just environmental ones.

taint

Suggests a more subtle or pervasive form of contamination.

foul

Implies making something offensive or disgusting, often through pollution.

befoul

Similar to "foul", but emphasizes the act of making something dirty or unpleasant.

adulterate

Refers specifically to making something impure by adding inferior or spurious substances.

debase

Indicates a lowering in quality, value, or character, sometimes through pollution.

corrupt

Suggests moral decay or impurity, as well as environmental degradation.

impure

Describes the resulting state of something that has been "polluted".

defile

Implies desecration or making something impure, often with a religious or moral connotation.

poison

Refers to introducing toxic substances that are harmful or lethal.

FAQs

How can I use "pollute" in a sentence?

"Pollute" means to make something harmful or impure, especially by adding waste or contaminants. For example, "The oil spill "polluted the ocean", harming marine life."

What are some synonyms for "pollute"?

Alternatives to "pollute" include "contaminate", "taint", and "foul". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "pollute the mind"?

While technically correct, it's more common to use "corrupt" or "taint" when referring to abstract concepts like the mind. For example, "The propaganda "corrupted their thinking"" is often preferred over "polluted their minds".

What's the difference between "pollute" and "contaminate"?

"Pollute" often refers to making the environment impure, while "contaminate" has a broader application, including food and other substances. You might say a factory "pollutes" a river, but bacteria "contaminates" food.