anthropogenic

adjective

an·​thro·​po·​gen·​ic ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈje-nik How to pronounce anthropogenic (audio)
: of, relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature
anthropogenic pollutants
anthropogenically
ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈje-ni-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce anthropogenic (audio)
adverb

Examples of anthropogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Her mother ocean is too hot and acidic, the culprit is anthropogenic carbon dioxide; how is an awabi to measure such a thing, let alone compensate for it? — Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026 Spagnesi says that losing this much ice means the team has likely already lost several centuries of anthropogenic history. — Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026 This is further evidence of hydroclimate whiplash -- the rapid shift between wet and dry conditions -- that has resulted from anthropogenic climate change, the experts said. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 20 May 2026 Although no single observed weather season can be fully attributed to climate change, scientists can definitively say that anthropogenic climate change has made these events more frequent and more extreme. — Kelly Fleming, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for anthropogenic

Word History

Etymology

anthropo- + -genic

First Known Use

circa 1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anthropogenic was circa 1883

Rhymes for anthropogenic

See All Rhymes for anthropogenic

Browse Nearby Words

anthropodermic
anthropogenic
anthropogeny
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anthropogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropogenic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

anthropogenic

adjective
an·​thro·​po·​gen·​ic -pə-ˈjen-ik How to pronounce anthropogenic (audio)
: of, relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature
anthropogenic sources of pollution

More from Merriam-Webster on anthropogenic

Nglish: Translation of anthropogenic for Spanish Speakers

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