What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defile
Example
The hikers followed the defile through the mountains. [defile: noun]
Example
The river was defiled by the toxic waste dumped into it. [defiled: past participle]
pollute
Example
The factory's emissions pollute the air in the surrounding area. [pollute: verb]
Example
The oil spill polluted the ocean and killed many marine animals. [polluted: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pollute is more commonly used than defile in everyday language. Pollute is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts related to environmental harm and damage, while defile is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defile and pollute?
Both defile and pollute can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, defile may be more commonly associated with religious or spiritual contexts, which may affect its formality level in certain situations.
