pollute

[puh-loot]

verb (used with object)

polluted, polluting 

1. to make foul or unclean, especially with harmful chemical or waste products; dirty.

   to pollute the air with smoke.

   Synonyms: befoul, soil
   Antonyms: purify

2. to make morally unclean; defile.

   Synonyms: deprave, debase, corrupt, vitiate, contaminate, taint
   Antonyms: purify

3. to render ceremonially impure; desecrate.

   to pollute a house of worship.

4. Informal.,  to render less effective or efficient.

   The use of inferior equipment has polluted the company's service.

pollute

/ pəˈluːt /

verb

1. to contaminate, as with poisonous or harmful substances

2. to make morally corrupt or impure; sully

3. to desecrate or defile

Other Word Forms

• polluter noun
• pollutive adjective
• nonpolluting adjective
• unpolluting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pollute¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English polute, from Latin pollūtus, past participle of polluere “to soil, defile,” equivalent to pol-, assimilated variant of por- “forth, forward” (variant of prefix per- ), here marking completed action + -lū- base of -luere (akin to lutum “mud, dirt,” lustrum “muddy place”) + -tus past participle suffix; per-

Word History and Origins

Origin of pollute¹

C14 polute, from Latin polluere to defile

Example Sentences

The first film, released in 2007, saw Homer accidentally pollute the water supply of Springfield and then attempt to save his city, which had been sealed off under a huge glass dome.

From BBC

If not done carefully, bioenergy projects run the risk of emitting carbon — not sequestering it — and polluting communities already grappling with some of the state’s dirtiest air.

From Los Angeles Times

The polluting companies, and the government that is supposed to regulate them, are blameless.

From Salon

There were also a plethora of household items that contained corrosive acids and toxic ingredients that needed to be collected to prevent them from polluting soil and groundwater.

From Los Angeles Times

The southern state's heavy reliance on groundwater and natural water bodies makes it particularly vulnerable, especially as many ponds and wells are polluted.

From BBC

Related Words

• contaminate 
• foul 
• infect 
• poison 
• stain 
• taint 
• violate