smog

noun

ˈsmäg How to pronounce smog (audio)
Definition of smognext
as in haze
an atmospheric condition in which suspended particles in the air rob it of its transparency the city's smog was once so bad that darkness often prevailed, even at noon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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 smog Ben Levinson cited worsened air quality and visibility due to smog. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2026 Ahead of Thursday’s meeting, the AQMD also added conditions to mandate that Lineage continue tracking ammonia, smog-forming emissions and toxic air contaminants. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Opponents point to research showing emissions from higher blends could worsen summer smog while encouraging the conversion of grasslands for corn farming. — Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 6 Aug. 2026 Rain can increase visibility when there’s smog, but its effect on air pollution is less certain, the weather service said. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for smog
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smog
  1. haze
  2. fog
  3. cloud
  4. mist
Noun
  • White Settlement residents may notice a smoky haze or strong odor even though the fire is a significant distance away, the department said in a social media post.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Plantation owners and traditional farmers often start fires to clear land for farming at low cost, triggering hazardous haze that reduces visibility, disrupts land and air transportation and threatens public health.
    — Muhammad Hatta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of haze
Noun
  • This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.
    — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Tech has crept into every facet of everyday life, like an invisible fog of ones and zeros.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fog
Noun
  • The second jet, which was right behind, flew through a cloud of pink dust that shot up from the stadium roof as part of the pregame show.
    — Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The most common type of cloud seeding used in the United States is almost all done in Western states, according to University of Illinois emeritus professor of climate, meteorology and atmospheric sciences Robert Rauber.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of cloud
Noun
  • Once considered a superfluous step, face mists have since become a more purposeful—and enjoyable—part of our skin care routines.
    — Jenny Jin, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The ultra-fine mist distributes evenly and leaves a natural, skin-like finish.
    — Mickey Williams, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of mist

Browse Nearby Words

smocking
smog
smoggy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smog. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on smog

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about smog

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