pollute
verb (used with object)
to make foul or unclean, especially with harmful chemical or waste products; dirty.
were polluting
-
past progressiveof pollute.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
In 1981, Arco noted in a memo that tanks were polluting the U.S. water supply with toxic chemicals such as benzene.
From Salon ● Jun. 19, 2023
The lawsuit alleged that Monsanto was aware for decades that PCBs were toxic to humans and other animals, and that they were polluting the environment.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 11, 2022
The news was shocking and disappointing to those of us who care for our bodies and skin: Microbeads, those tiny plastic scrubbing components used in exfoliators, were polluting our waterways.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 20, 2017
In Fiji, Greenpeace alleges Chinese fishing trawlers are devastating tuna and shark stocks, while landowners from Momi told the Fijian Broadcasting Association that Cloud 9′s operators were polluting their custodial fishing grounds.
From Time ● Aug. 28, 2013
Some there were among us who, alarmed that such ceaseless infusions were polluting the native springs of English, would look back with veneration and fondness on our ancient masters.
From Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Isaac Disraeli
