1
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
4
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 My fingers pushed through the dirt, bare and desperate, searching for the roots, any tiny tendrils spelling life. Literary Hub, 10 July 2025 Roaches crawling inside an in-use microwave, dirt buildup on walls around a pizza station, and flies landing on a shelf with clean dishes were among the violations that led the state to temporarily shut two South Florida restaurants last week. Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2025 The compounds help to mimic the natural tiny particles, like dust and dirt, that are typically the driving force for clouds to condense and let go of moisture. Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025 Its all-in-one base can hold up to 60 days’ worth of dirt and enough water to mop up to a 2,000 square-foot area two to three times, plus wash and dry the mopping pads. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirt
Noun
  • Factors to consider: soil types, slopes, sun/shade, temperature, winds, and plant types and sizes.
    Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
  • The workers, who were about 400 feet underground, scrambled over loose soil more than 12 feet high to reach the tunnel boring machine and then were transported back to the opening.
    Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The Gritti’s dock-manager to Grazer’s left, foreground right in the shot, may be suspicious that his sturdy right elbow, offered for support during that parlous little leap from land to sea, is being roundly ignored.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Lake Fire has been burning on federal land managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • And years of exposure to heat, chemicals, and environmental muck can also strip away some of your hair’s natural gloss, leaving it looking duller, Dr. Lo Sicco notes.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 9 July 2025
  • Now, less than two months later, the muck and mud of historic flooding had returned.
    Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • The inspector counted over 30 little hunks of rodent dung behind the chest freezers, and another 15 under dry storage shelves.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
  • Ndebele art involves geometric motifs painted on the walls of houses using dung, limestone, red clays, soot, ash, and other natural pigments.
    Percy Zvomuya, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • Damaging wind and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with this storm.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 July 2025
  • Personnel requested ground and air ambulances, and began performing life-saving measures.
    Theresa Clift July 12, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • With the sewage crisis, Aguirre had been a foil to Vargas, who had opposed the emergency declaration and had tried to temper concerns about air safety.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
  • Insurance also isn't likely to cover water or sewage backups in your home, whether this is caused by a failing sump pump or heavy rains.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • Higher courts often interpret whether cases fall under the protections of the First Amendment. Freedom of speech, including vulgarity, is common in such cases.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 June 2025
  • The juxtaposition of popular art’s messy vulgarity with the pristine aspirations of high art is surprisingly uninvolving.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • About 20 yards beyond was a shallow pool of smelly, stagnant water surrounded by mud.
    Alann B. Steen, Outdoor Life, 10 July 2025
  • Samaritan’s Purse volunteers in Texas have been cleaning mud, clearing out areas full of debris and listening to survivors’ stories.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirt. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dirt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!