ground 1 of 3

noun

ˈgrau̇nd How to pronounce ground (audio)
Definition of groundnext
1
as in yard
grounds plural the area around and belonging to a building an escorted tour of the White House and its surrounding grounds

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2
as in sediment
grounds plural matter that settles to the bottom of a body of liquid strain the coffee to remove the grounds

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3
as in reason
grounds plural something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing evicted the tenants on the grounds that they violated the lease

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4
as in field
a small area of usually open land I'll meet you at the parade ground in two hours

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5
as in basis
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests opposed to the notion that religious law should be used as a ground for civil law

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6
as in soil
the loose surface material in which plants naturally grow stuck the shovel in the ground and went inside for a glass of water

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7
as in backdrop
the physical conditions or features that form the setting against which something is viewed take her picture against a blue ground in order to bring out her blue eyes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in land
the solid part of our planet's surface as distinguished from the sea and air was glad to be back on the ground after a turbulent flight

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ground

2 of 3

adjective

as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something chopping wood with a finely ground axe

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ground

3 of 3

verb

as in to base
to find a basis you're grounding your entire case on circumstantial evidence

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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 ground
Noun
Rather than forcing every filmmaker to imitate Raimi, the IP has evolved into one of genre’s most generous proving grounds. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026 Too much or too little water flowing south from Lake Okeechobee can wreak havoc on the historic nesting grounds for the long-legged birds. — Alex Harris july 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
Adjective
Ingredients 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper Directions In a screw-top jar or airtight container, combine all ingredients. — Jed Portman, Midwest Living, 15 May 2026 It’s made from a simple family recipe containing only finely ground meat in a dark red, tangy sauce. — George Motz, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Verb
Despite being a key player in the AI arena, Microsoft (MSFT) shares have remained surprisingly grounded. — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 After scoring a run in the fourth when Willy Adames grounded into a double play with a runner on third, San Francisco called upon a double steal with runners at the corners to swipe its third run. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ground
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground
  1. yard
  2. sediment
  3. reason
  4. field
  5. basis
  6. soil
  7. backdrop
  8. land
Noun
  • During first-half stoppage time, Mexicos’ César Montes received the ball inside the six-yard box, but Bellingham cleared what looked like a certain goal.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Attracting birds can include a variety of approaches beyond adding bird feeders or placing a birdbath in your yard.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 5 July 2026
Definition of yard
Noun
  • At Walhalla Glades, the carbon instead sat within silicate-rich sediment.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 4 July 2026
  • The results showed that even after weeks of biological growth and sediment buildup, which heavily obscured the test targets, the system successfully identified every single weapon.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of sediment
Noun
  • Kiely Williams will not reprise her role as Aqua, though Disney did not provide a reason.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 9 July 2026
  • Sabatini suggested to the jury there were possible explanations for that aberrant behavior without settling on a specific reason.
    — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • The team combined two fast-growing areas of quantum research by using a magnetic topological material to study non-Hermitian physics, an emerging field that examines systems with unconventional behavior.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • Devers furthered the Giants’ cause with a ground-rule double that lodged itself under the padding along the right-field line, scoring Schmitt.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
Definition of field
Noun
  • Dominic Canzone and Randy Arozarena walked to load the bases with one out before Josh Naylor struck out swinging.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) evaluates transgender student participation on a case-by-case basis, generally supporting inclusion while lacking a statewide legislative ban.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of basis
Noun
  • The family fought for three hours last July Fourth to stay alive after more than a summer’s worth of rain fell overnight on bone-dry soil, pushing the waterway from about 3 feet to 30 feet in just 45 minutes.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • The animals damage agricultural land, consume native vegetation, contribute to soil erosion and compete with livestock for forage.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of soil
Noun
  • Daytime programming is set to include musical performances and military flyovers along the backdrop of the Great American State Fair.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Set against a 1920s backdrop, the film shows how the Minions accidentally stumble upon a movie set and conquer Hollywood.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 July 2026
Definition of backdrop
Noun
  • The oppressive heat wave lands at the same time the nation is observing 250 years since our Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The transfer of 136 acres just south of the community of Westport will mark the first time land managed by the California Department of Transportation has been returned to Indigenous tribes.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of land

Phrases Containing ground

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grouchy
ground
groundbreaker
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Cite this Entry

“Ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ground

Nglish: Translation of ground for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ground

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