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
Unless the compost is fully broken down into humus, this incorporation will also work organic matter into the soil, which helps with aeration and further supports microorganisms.
—
Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Closer and closer, the aroma draws me like a magnet…sun on granite, black humus, balsam fir, and a faint whiff of yellow birch smoke.
—Literary Hub, 2 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for humus
Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Closer and closer, the aroma draws me like a magnet…sun on granite, black humus, balsam fir, and a faint whiff of yellow birch smoke.
—Literary Hub, 2 June 2025
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
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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Cosey has welcomed archaeological teams from Mississippi State University to her property, digging for the stories buried beneath the topsoil.—
Joe Sills,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Water deeply when topsoil dries.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The property also offers an onsite putting green, four clay tennis courts, and bikes for borrowing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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In coastal regions, salt-resistant materials like metal, clay, and synthetic materials tend to offer greater longevity.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But scientists say the water is causing erosion along coastal bluffs, especially in the Torrey Pines area, raising the risk of rock and mud slides.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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Mineral-rich mud pools, thermal baths, and sulfur springs are reminders of the island's volcanic origins.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Humus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humus. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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