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carcinogen

[kahr-sin-uh-juhn, -jen, kahr-suh-nuh-jen, -noh-] / kɑrˈsɪn ə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn, ˈkɑr sə nəˌdʒɛn, -noʊ- /
NOUN
cancer-causing agent
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Sunlight plays an important role in vitamin D production and overall health, but it is also classified as a complete carcinogen, meaning it can both start and promote cancer.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026

Dermatologists agree that exposure to UV rays, a known carcinogen, is far more dangerous than any specific sunscreen use.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

And the International Agency for Research on Cancer maintains that peer-reviewed studies show that Roundup is “probably” a carcinogen to humans and is linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

Since then, he and roughly 170,000 other users have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and related cancers associated with extended exposure to glyphosate, Roundup’s key ingredient and a probable carcinogen.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

This is why there is no “safe” dose of a carcinogen.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

The World Health Organization counts UV-emitting tanning beds as a Group 1 carcinogen, alongside other known human carcinogens like tobacco cigarettes and asbestos.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

Most studies of carcinogens rely on adult mice, typically at least 4 to 6 weeks old.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 29, 2026

The US non-profit organisation Consumer Reports tested samples from ten of the most popular brands of synthetic braiding hair, and found that all of them contained carcinogens, and in some cases, lead.

From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2025

Two recent studies about the Marshall fire—both of which focused on the lingering carcinogens and contaminants it released into the surrounding neighborhoods—confirm as much.

From Slate ● Jan. 16, 2025

The world was then full of disease germs, as today it is full of carcinogens.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson


Vocabulary lists containing carcinogen

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