Due to the escalating impacts of the industrial wastewater on the environment, especially water pollution, we highlight and discuss the role of metal oxide nanocomposites as promising materials for industrial wastewater remediation. We summarize their chemical and green synthesis processes as well as their applications including adsorption and photocatalytic degradation revealing their efficiency in eliminating a wide spectrum of pollutants. In addition to the limitations, and future implications for those metal oxide nanocomposites in industrial wastewater remediation. Several synthesis strategies are reviewed, including sol–gel, hydrothermal, and precipitation procedures, green synthesis using plant and algae extracts emphasizing their capacity to alter the structure, and characteristics of nanocomposites for specific remedial needs. Furthermore, the underlying methods of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation routes are investigated, offering insights into the fundamental processes that drive pollution removal. Despite their immense potential, concerns including scalability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact must be addressed carefully. Nevertheless, with ongoing advancements in nanotechnology, materials science, and environmental engineering, the prospects for metal oxide nanocomposites in industrial wastewater treatment appear promising. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and sustained research, this type of nanomaterials offer a viable pathway toward sustainable solutions for water pollution mitigation and environmental conservation.