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 adverb

Examples of anthropogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Dr Olah has a wide variety of research experiences in different conservation situations, but is currently making big contributions to advancing our knowledge about conservation genetics in the context of better understanding interacting environmental and anthropogenic threats. Grrlscientist, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The study's findings underscored the nuanced responses of shark species to fluctuations in human activity, offering valuable insights into the delicate interplay between wildlife and anthropogenic influence. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024 According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, approximately 15 percent of net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector. IEEE Spectrum, 5 Feb. 2024 Her team now wants to see how anthropogenic emissions, like sulfur dioxide, affect the ability of plants to seed clouds. WIRED, 29 Sep. 2023 Enlarge Ed Reschke Hundreds of millions of years before anthropogenic climate change was ever a thing, life on Earth suffered mass extinctions due to climate change brought on by natural causes. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 18 Aug. 2023 By gnawing away at the old view that nonhuman animals simply serve as food, such work can counter anthropogenic views of the past. Paige Madison, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023 According to a Climate and Clean Air Coalition study, at least a quarter of current global warming is driven by anthropogenic methane, and 20% of that methane comes from wastewater and landfills. Jamie Hailstone, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 Vast swathes of the world from the U.S. to China endured searing heat waves driven by a lethal combination of anthropogenic climate change and the recurring natural phenomenon known as El Niño. Chirag Dhara, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anthropogenic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near anthropogenic

Cite this Entry

“Anthropogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropogenic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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

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