CONTAMINATION Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

contamination

noun

kən-ˌta-mə-ˈnā-shən

Definition of contamination

as in contaminant

something that is or that makes impure swimming in the lake is banned until the contamination is identified and neutralized

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contamination Thousands of cases of tofu have been recalled in dozens of states over possible chemical contamination. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Residents involved in Ladera Health Watch are also concerned about whether old oil and gas wells underneath the Ladera Ranch and the nearby Prima Deshecha Landfill could be possible sources of environmental contamination. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 This marks the latest in a series of Baxter recalls concerning particulate contamination in injectable medical products. — Victoria Forster, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Other bottled water companies often process water using plastic, which would increase the risk of contamination. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contamination

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contamination

Noun

As catastrophic as the fires were for those who lost everything, people whose homes remain standing have been exasperated by insurance company refusals to cover the removal of lingering hazardous contaminants.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
That’s in part due to their handling of homes requiring cleaning due to smoke and other contaminants caused by the fires.

— Paris Barraza, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of contaminant

Noun

Facilities would have to be on land zoned for heavy industrial use and could not be located near disadvantaged communities or populations sensitive to pollutants, such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Ancient rock art at Murujuga, or the Burrup Peninsula, in Western Australia, has seen much larger damaged than previously anticipated due to industrial pollutants found in air emissions.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of pollutant

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contaminating

contamination

contaminations

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“Contamination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contamination. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of contamination

noun

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