as in loam
a brown or black material in soil that is formed when plants and animals decay
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Recent Examples of humus
Collectively, these leftovers become part of the humus of the soil, helping retain water and support soil-dwelling microbes, invertebrates and roots.
—
Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
Burnt soil has obviously lost any mulch that had been present as well as the layer of decomposing organic material or humus just below it.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2025
Including the sand provides better drainage, and the humus in the compost holds nutrients and provides moisture control.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2024
When separating clumps, add humus to the new planting area, spread roots out, and water well for smooth transplanting.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for humus
Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
Burnt soil has obviously lost any mulch that had been present as well as the layer of decomposing organic material or humus just below it.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2025
Including the sand provides better drainage, and the humus in the compost holds nutrients and provides moisture control.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2024
When separating clumps, add humus to the new planting area, spread roots out, and water well for smooth transplanting.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for humus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humus
Noun
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Sandy soil is more prone to hydrophobia than loam or clay.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
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But the conflict between Joe and Ted goes back further and is rooted in a deep loam of backstory that emerges bit by bit.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The garden uses restorative agricultural practices to prevent topsoil erosion by enriching the soil with microorganisms, Carlson said.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
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Mix the grass seed with sand or some topsoil to make spreading easier.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Born enslaved around 1800 in Edgefield, South Carolina, a region known for its rich clay, Drake (who was also known as Dave the Potter) was one of relatively few African American potters to sign his work.—
Jori Finkel,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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Combining centuries-old Jewish folklore with the then-new medium of cinema, Paul Wegener and Carl Boese’s pioneering horror film draws its inspiration from a legend about a life-sized clay figure — a golem — that came to life to protect the Jews of Prague.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Though the locker room area felt a little cramped, the treatment menu itself could not be more extensive, with everything from Indian head massages and Guinot facials to Dead Sea mud therapy and a special selection of Ayurvedic offerings.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
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Video posted Wednesday on X shows the streets of Santa Cruz, Jamaica, completely covered in mud.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humus. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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