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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

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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 Tenacious will collect some moon dirt under a contract with NASA. Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 May 2025 Cat Construction Little Machines 5-Pack $10 $5 at Amazon Remember how kids love digging in the dirt? Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 May 2025 For myself, starting from a flat-footed stop in the dirt, that 60 came in about seven seconds. New Atlas, 30 Apr. 2025 Even better: The lugs on the outsole are designed to seamlessly take you from city roads to dirt trails. Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirt
Noun
  • Brazil were awarded the hosting rights for World Cup 1950 and were therefore considered favourites to win it on home soil, just as Uruguay and Italy had done in 1930 and 1934 respectively.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 May 2025
  • The news release said the researchers found the larvae were far more prevalent in places where soil was extremely dry and a lot of organic matter was present.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Super Nintendo World is home to two smaller lands, Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • These sightings offer hope that this snake may return to lands it was once pushed out of.
    Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Sovereignty’s Kentucky Derby victory in the muck at Churchill Downs sparked curiosity over whether the colt can build on his signature win over a possibly drier, faster surface on the Triple Crown trail.
    Gary B. Graves, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2025
  • The town of Grand Isle was stuck in the muck of disaster.
    Mark Strassmann, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The dung heap is being dismantled by a scrum of hermit crabs.
    Kevin Gepford, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Ancient Egyptians also revered dung beetles because the rolling of the dung balls reminded them of the sun god rolling the sun across the sky, according to the Israel Museum.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Nestled in the Norfolk countryside, the house and its expansive grounds are a destination in their own right.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • As for the training ground, plans to further expand Benton while an alternative site is identified have been put into motion, which suggests a new state-of-the-art facility remains years away.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • The Tijuana River, which crosses from Mexico into California before emptying into the Pacific Ocean, carries not just water but millions of gallons of untreated sewage.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 May 2025
  • The unauthorized development included buildings up to six stories high, parks, water systems, a power grid and sewage disposal station.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Eli doesn’t flinch at their graphic vulgarity but smiles warmly and appreciatively, as only John Goodman can smile.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 May 2025
  • His video streams are peppered with expletives, vulgarities and other language that many have disavowed in the name of political correctness.
    Jack Crosbie, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This traditional market, built in the 1820s with mud and palm leaves, is just a 15-minute drive from the mosque.
    Natasha Amar, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • The short story was inspired by the ancient folkloric legend of the Golem, an anthropomorphic being usually made from clay or mud, brought to life by magical means to serve its creator.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirt. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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