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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 As Flores shouted and walked slowly toward first base, several Padres players rushed out to stand on the dirt in front of their dugout. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2025 Last Thursday, united officials from New York and New Jersey and the Port Authority joined together to shovel some dirt in a vacant lot on W. 38th St. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 June 2025 Myers held on despite the hard collision and, while seated on the dirt, held up the ball with his right hand as Stowers raised both arms in celebration a few yards from him. Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 1 June 2025 Unexpected grave goods The dirt block went through CT scans and X-rays at the University of Bradford before being sent to the York Archaeological Trust for a deeper analysis in November. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirt
Noun
  • Rather than replicating French haute cuisine, chefs like Claus Meyer and René Redzepi (of Noma fame) called for a culinary identity rooted in Nordic soil, climate and heritage.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • For many fans from Iran, this tournament could be a rare chance to watch their team play on American soil—an opportunity made even more meaningful by decades of political estrangement.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Bear Fire has been burning on federal land managed by the United States Forest Service.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
  • But one of the main attractions to Ardross was its 2,000 acres of land.
    Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Given her past record of almost never getting into the muck of rumors around her personal life, the latter speculations make better sense.
    Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Justin has been dragged into the muck since March 2024, when he was briefly detained at his father’s L.A. mansion the day of the feds’ raid (the rap star’s Star Island mansion got hit up by Homeland Security, too).
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • But be careful not to hit any of the rodents or the rodent dung.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • While on the road - Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025
  • These ground robots have become a regular presence along the front.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Raw sewage becomes a concern in Hartford, along with the stability of large oil and gasoline tanks.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
  • In addition, untreated sewage commonly contains potentially hazardous compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and biocides, a category including pesticides and antiseptics.
    Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • During the presentation by PMM Chesterton, which wants to redevelop the golf course, Kowalski used a vulgarity to describe how the houses would be too close to each other.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • The fans in Section 204, directly beyond where a right fielder stands, eschewed artistry for straight-up vulgarity.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Regardless of the tough conditions, the tournament is still going strong through the rain and the mud.
    Troy Finnegan‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • As messy as things could ever get with Sly Stone or his legacy, the blood would always remain thicker than the mud.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirt. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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