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
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Caecilians are legless amphibians — not snakes, not worms — that spend their lives burrowing through moist soil.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026
Also, household pest-control chemicals were stored in areas where food and clean equipment were being stored, an open package of rodent bait was found in the kitchen, and the food-preparation table and breading station were soiled.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soil
Noun
These are legless amphibians — not snakes, not worms — that spend their lives burrowing through moist soil.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Caecilians are legless amphibians — not snakes, not worms — that spend their lives burrowing through moist soil.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Pews were left heavily soiled in black.
—Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026
Also, household pest-control chemicals were stored in areas where food and clean equipment were being stored, an open package of rodent bait was found in the kitchen, and the food-preparation table and breading station were soiled.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soil
Verb
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Worshippers arriving for the day's first prayers found the damage and a smoldering fire that spewed black smoke across the entrance of the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque in the town of Tell, near Nablus, and stained the ornate doorway.—
AREF TUFAHA,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
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Don’t toss that scratched-up, questionably stained, borderline EPA Superfund site, 12-year-old cutting board just yet!—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 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
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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
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Siniaková, the No. 1 doubles player in the world, started to muck things up, and Anisimova’s serve began to stray.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the salmon blackens in a skillet, the spices awaken, encrusting the fish in peppery piquant.—
The Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
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And Hanceville’s fate is as murky as the fog that pours in at night, blotting out buildings and blackening the road ahead.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soil. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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