encrusts

verb

variants also incrusts
present tense third-person singular of encrust
as in smears
to cover with a hardened layer refrigerator shelves that were encrusted with the residue of many spills

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 encrusts These crustaceans, worms, fish, and others keep their home clean by grazing on the algae that encrusts seagrass leaves. — David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encrusts
  1. smears
  2. coats
  3. cakes
  4. covers
Verb
  • Darker smears around the crater’s rim contain surface rocks and lunar dust called regolith previously altered by solar winds, micrometeorites, and cosmic radiation over an extended period of time.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The atmosphere works on them a little bit harder and reduces their strength and smears them a little bit more.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of smears
Verb
  • Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 1 minute.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The plush, balm-meets-mask formula coats lips in a comforting layer that keeps moisture from escaping overnight, with hyaluronic acid, minerals, and antioxidant-rich Berry Mix Complex helping soften dry, flaky skin.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of coats
Verb
  • The kids aren’t going to remember that mom made the birthday cakes herself.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Definition of cakes
Verb
  • Since the Joy Division days, graphic designer Peter Saville has always worked on the band’s album covers.
    — Tina Benitez-Eves, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Known for his high-energy demeanor, his livestream content covers gaming, sports, stunts and travel.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of covers

Browse Nearby Words

encrusting
encrusts
encrypt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Encrusts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encrusts. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fervid

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All