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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Wednesday, three people appeared to hop the fence on the south side of the property, slide down the dirt and step into the house. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 By packing dirt around a branch still attached to a tree, the branch will grow roots. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 There isn’t enough real dirt or sand on the trail to give a qualified opinion. — Michael Febbo, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026 Health-care professionals could sell medical records; students could sell exams; aides and staffers could sell political dirt; anyone with security clearance could pay off their mortgage or buy a new car. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 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
  • This was a real life, post-WWII intelligence operation that relocated over 1,500 German engineers, scientists, and technicians — some confirmed to have been Nazis — in order to utilize their skills in and on behalf of American soil.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Farming perennials is less disruptive to that carbon-capturing soil.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of soil
Noun
  • The new system allows the drone to release supplies while hovering, drop payloads during forward flight, or land and unload cargo autonomously, eliminating the need for personnel or dedicated equipment at the receiving site.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In rural areas, food insecurity helps armed groups recruit soldiers and causes disputes over scarce land and water resources.
    — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of land
Noun
  • The film could have only benefited from narrowing its scope away from all the government muck, an attempt to flesh out a mythology for its villains that are scarier simply as faceless, mysterious weapons of mass destruction.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The deep muck provides a cap for the shallow aquifer, helping to clean and filter freshwater that supplies drinking water for Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and parts of Palm Beach County.
    — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 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
  • The decision to present Nico to the St James’ crowd ahead of the West Bromwich Albion Carabao Cup tie was inspired, perpetuating the positivity brought about by the training-ground announcement and opening-day Liverpool draw.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague on Monday ruled in Pakistan's favor over the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, saying the historic pact remains fully binding and that India had no valid grounds for ending or suspending it.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of ground
Noun
  • Wastewater tracking is the testing of community sewage for viruses and other germs to help health officials monitor disease spread and trends, often before cases show up in clinical testing data.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The city later vowed to make emergency repairs to restore power and clean up buildings flooded with sewage.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of sewage
Noun
  • In a sprightly performance rife with oddball mannerisms, Gnecco gives Borges equal parts impish wisdom, earthy vulgarity and childlike wonder, rarely letting a moment’s silence go unfilled with eager chatter.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The distinction between ugliness and vulgarity feels important now.
    — Debbie Millman, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of vulgarity

Phrases Containing dirt

Browse Nearby Words

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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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