dirt

noun

ˈdərt How to pronounce dirt (audio)
Definition of dirtnext
1
as in soil
the loose surface material in which plants naturally grow dig into the dirt to a depth of about three inches

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2
as in land
the solid part of our planet's surface as distinguished from the sea and air at the first sound of gunfire we hit the dirt

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3
as in muck
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something there's some dirt on your shoes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in grossness
the quality or state of being obscene appalled by the dirt in the author's novels

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in dung
solid matter discharged from an animal's alimentary canal tread carefully, as there's cow dirt all over the pasture

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dirt Reynolds also described unsanitary conditions due to the slaughter area being outdoors with dirt and gravel. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 Compost acts as a vitamin boost for dirt, mixed into the soil to improve plant health, while mulch is placed on top to block weeds, save water, control temperature, and prevent erosion. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 Tips For Long-Term Towel Care Wash frequency—Wash white towels every three to four uses to prevent buildup of body oils, dirt, and mildew. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 Plus, it's protected against dirt and debris larger than 1mm. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirt
  1. soil
  2. land
  3. muck
  4. grossness
  5. dung
  6. ground
  7. sewage
  8. vulgarity
Noun
  • Periwinkle prefers a temperate climate and needs a soil with a good amount of compost.
    — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Although each vineyard has its own unique soils, exposures, and water availability, the sibling regions are simply two different appellations cultivating the same grape.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of soil
Noun
  • The modest park sits on less than one acre of land off Parkwood Avenue and includes a playground, a picnic shelter and green space.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ceuta and ‌Melilla, another Spanish autonomous city in northern Morocco, have the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of land
Noun
  • Once more than 20 feet deep in some areas, Lake Jesup today is barely six feet deep as muck and other debris have accumulated on the bottom.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
  • Yes, Nolan’s tendency to make the sound editing a bit murky or a bit too loud at times while the dialogue sinks into the sonic muck, all these things are true here.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of muck
Noun
  • But Paddy’s isn’t Sudz, and the Gang’s efforts to soft-pedal their antics to be more in line with those mainstream bars devolved into typical Sunny-style hostility and off-putting grossness.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
  • All your Dad has to do is fill it and drink—the microfilter membrane will do the rest by removing chlorine odors, dirt, bacteria, and any other grossness floating around in there.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
Definition of grossness
Noun
  • Behind the cookline equipment, the rodent dung shared space with 20 dead roaches.
    — David J. Neal July 24, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • When not elbow-deep in dino dung or outrunning raptors, Laura Dern's heartfelt performance in Jurassic Park shows why women really deserve to inherit the Earth — and all of the acting awards.
    — Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
Definition of dung
Noun
  • That’s when the north grounds of President's Park were thronged with booths, and attending crowds watched horse racing and cockfighting, according to the White House Historical Association.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Austin Riley drove in the first run of the night with a ground-rule double.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of ground
Noun
  • Health officials issued a no-swim advisory for an unnamed Lake Norman cove after about 2,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the lake Monday.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The wind whips up sewage dried to a powder that's been dumped for years onto an arid riverbed near the fishing settlement of Rehri Goth, on the outskirts of the Pakistani port city of Karachi.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of sewage
Noun
  • The once-vaunted values of public life are now reduced to the lower standards of private life—venality, vulgarity, rudeness, incontinence, and ignorance.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • Benoit delights in language as much as her heroine, weaving Regency-era slang throughout and appending a chapter-by-chapter glossary of vulgarities.
    — Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Definition of vulgarity

Phrases Containing dirt

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dirks
dirt
dirtbag
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Cite this Entry

“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirt. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dirt

Nglish: Translation of dirt for Spanish Speakers

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