1
as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something
got some sort of soil on my white pants
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dung
solid matter discharged from an animal's alimentary canal
the horse lifted its tail and deposited its soil on the grass
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in ground
the loose surface material in which plants naturally grow
bought rich soil to plant flowers in
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to stain
to make dirty
oil and grease soiled the mechanic's shirt
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of soil
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
Politicians planting universal child care programs in rocky soil shouldn’t expect a garden.
—Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Damon Wise, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
Both of his arms are in the sleeves, and his bourgeois father is kneeling on the floor, taking the shirt in order to conserve it, perhaps saving it from being soiled.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soil
Noun
The knowledge from these fire survivors — and their soil data — helped inform the scientists’ soil testing in all regions, functioning as a kind of citizen science component.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
Politicians planting universal child care programs in rocky soil shouldn’t expect a garden.
—Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Surprisingly, unlike this year’s Baftas, there were no unwanted interruptions, although one guest did soil the stage.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
Both of his arms are in the sleeves, and his bourgeois father is kneeling on the floor, taking the shirt in order to conserve it, perhaps saving it from being soiled.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soil
Verb
-
The most popular American sport, long recession-proof, forever immune to greed’s side effects, is prepared to stain its legacy.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The fossils become smooth, rounded and mineral-stained from their time underwater, a process that also complicates efforts to date them precisely.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
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With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Most years consist of routine maintenance, like mucking, where crews work below the lock floor, removing debris from the drainage system using shovels and buckets.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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Whether shoveling your driveway, building a snow man with the kids, or just generally mucking around in the cold, sleet and snow, Muck Boots will keep you comfortable and protected.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Grace, her white lace dress blackened with blood, is smoking a cigarette outside of an incinerated mansion that belongs to her in-laws, the Le Domas, who are all dead.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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The Israeli strikes on oil facilities sparked massive pillars of fire and blackened the skies above Tehran.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soil. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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