1
as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something
got some sort of soil on my white pants
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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
Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Such efforts, like the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act signed into law by former President Joe Biden in 2022 and the Texas CHIPS Act signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, aim to encourage manufacturing of the essential technology on American soil.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Approximately 20% of the equipment, utensils and surfaces that touch food had food debris or were soiled.
—Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for soil
Noun
As is always the case when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is set to become a free agent, his future is of great interest considering Argentina will defend its World Cup title on American soil in summer next year.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Such efforts, like the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act signed into law by former President Joe Biden in 2022 and the Texas CHIPS Act signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, aim to encourage manufacturing of the essential technology on American soil.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Verb
Then again, so do Liebling’s portraits of aldermen who block the construction of new housing, presumably afraid to soil their own rock-solid constituencies.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Approximately 20% of the equipment, utensils and surfaces that touch food had food debris or were soiled.
—Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for soil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soil
Verb
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Check to make sure the oils don’t have any dyes or colors that could stain your carpet.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
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But if blood stains the pages of history, there are those willing and ready to wash it clean.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Verb
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As more success suddenly comes his way, McKinstry has remained the same, friendly and chuckling at his locker, dirtying his jersey and pestering opponents on the field.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Some were prosthetic buttocks, but others were people’s own buttocks, but in various states, like dirtied down and with partial covering.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Verb
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There's a guide with some suggestions, but the real fun is mucking around, and the set comes with handy storage boxes to pack everything neatly away when you're done.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
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After 30 years of mucking about with a kings-of-Britpop rivalry, Damon Albarn is admitting what everyone and Flimsy Steve have known for some time: Oasis is a bigger deal than Blur.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Leaves and buds that are bitten by frost will blacken and shrivel, sometimes all over the plant.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 July 2025
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Let skins blister and blacken, while turning peppers with tongs, until they’re evenly blackened, about 5 minutes.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Soil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soil. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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