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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 Lee was found dead in a dirt field between the intersections of California and Polk Avenues on Oct. 31, 2004. Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025 Sweep away any dirt, dust, and debris collected during the colder months. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2025 Those who want to power wash the dirt from your car should choose a pressure washer with a lower PSI setting to avoid damaging the paint and body. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025 The eggs appear like tiny bits of dirt to the naked eye and are about half a millimeter in size. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirt
Noun
  • For now, the researchers have left the ship in situ, partially covering it with original soil and squeezing wet sponges onto it to preserve moisture.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Russia and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have launched intelligence missions right here on U.S. soil as the CCP has instigated an economic chokehold on South American countries through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and corruption.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Last week, the Department of the Interior announced that land would be transferred to the Army, allowing the military would of federal land to support Border Patrol for a period of three years.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Hundreds of square miles of open land along Highway 101 and Interstate 5 remain undeveloped.
    Edward Ring, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Magic are turning these games into the grind and the Celtics are getting stuck in the muck — just like the Cleveland Cavaliers last year when the Magic took them to seven games before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2025
  • That would reduce risks of toxic metals and chemicals in the muck from getting back into the water.
    Timothy B. Wheeler, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Living in the wood economy means relying on wood, dung, and other basic bioenergy.
    Ted Nordhaus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Aug. 2016
Noun
  • In 2020, the Koch universe went to ground on the White House race, too, saying their focus was the Senate.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 2 May 2025
  • Process all ingredients in a spice grinder until finely ground and powdery, about 30 seconds.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief on Tuesday demanded that Mexico put an end to the unfettered flow of raw sewage from the Tijuana region into Southern California.
    Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Rivers, including the Potomac in Washington, smelled of raw sewage and contained toxic chemicals.
    Jeremy Orr, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lashing out from the White House, Mr. Trump used a vulgarity to accuse Mr. Xi and Mr. Lam of plotting to exploit the United States.
    Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Those incidents range from keying swastikas to spray-painting other vulgarities.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Offensively, the Bucks can’t keep playing in mud while the Pacers are playing on a fastbreak runway.
    Brian Sampson, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Her whole life of books and photo albums buried in mud.
    Barbara Kingsolver, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirt. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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