pollute
verb (used with object)
to make foul or unclean, especially with harmful chemical or waste products; dirty.
pollutes
-
present tense formof pollute (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The rubbish gets into the watercourses that criss-cross the capital and, from there, finds its way into the Congo River where it harms wildlife and pollutes the water.
From Barron's ● May 20, 2026
Uncollected and improperly disposed waste pollutes waterways and clogs drain systems.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2025
The risk isn’t just to the workers using it; formaldehyde threatens everyone as it pollutes the air we all breathe and leaks from products long after they enter our homes.
From Salon ● Dec. 9, 2024
Urban runoff that pollutes the ocean frequently begins in these fresh rivers, but, unlike for beaches, there is no statewide oversight, standardization or funding for freshwater pollution monitoring in California.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2024
The automobile gives us great mobility, but pollutes our atmosphere.
From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins
