dirtying

present participle of dirty

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 dirtying With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026 Keep them in reserve as a sleep sock to ward off icy toes and prevent sweat and skin oils from dirtying your down sleeping bag. Adam Roy, Outside, 28 Dec. 2025 Amazon shoppers are also going after this top-selling nonstick frying pan that’s great for eggs, chicken breasts, and other hard-to-flip foods, as well as this immersion blender that can churn soups and sauces into a creamy texture without dirtying another vessel. Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirtying
Verb
  • Sealing the grout keeps foods from staining it.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 June 2026
  • Natural stone can be more involved; it should be sealed before grouting and can require upkeep to protect against staining.
    Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • And Hanceville’s fate is as murky as the fog that pours in at night, blotting out buildings and blackening the road ahead.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
  • These tungsten atoms would then condense on the slightly cooler inside of the glass bulb, blackening it and dimming the light over time.
    Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Marilyn, Nixon, the Kennedys, Bay of Pigs—we’ve seen Ellroy messing with this material long before the Quintet.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • Countless Renditions Campbell’s wasn't the only one messing with the tomato soup cake formula.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Some passengers reported soiling themselves in their seats.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
  • Also on the good side of things is Sean Bell’s lanky Sir Robin, the not-quite-so-brave, armor-soiling knight.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Spurs were a ghastly 11 of 46 from the perimeter, sullying an otherwise analytically pristine shot chart that included only four non-paint 2s.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 5 June 2026
  • And could a second season, sans the extraordinary talents of Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, deliver a story and themes in keeping with that brand, without sullying what was so deviously tricky about the original series and its tone?
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But Ehlers has given Carolina a newfound level of offensive depth, especially given he’s meshed surprisingly well with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook, two veteran checkers who have been mucking and grinding for years on a team that does that better than anyone.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 24 May 2026
  • In retirement, he’s gone back to that childhood, mucking the stalls and helping care for a menagerie that includes two horses, 10 mini goats, two mini pigs, a pair of horses and a bunch of chickens and dogs and cats.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In her response, Hajdini cast Rana as manipulative and deceitful, intent on ruining her life and besmirching her employer through his sensational accusations.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
  • Kelly believes a book like this hasn’t been written before because people weren’t ready to hear the truth – as though acknowledging these famous people’s complete life experiences would be besmirching their legacies.
    Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dirtying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirtying. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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