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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The bushy tropical plant does best in a mix of loam and sand, and prefers partial shade in very hot climates.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
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Is the soil a porous, well-draining loam, or a rocky clay that will be hard to dig in and harder to drain?—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Did a freak rainstorm wash half of your topsoil away?—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
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Given current rates of soil degradation, Semedo predicted, 100% of the world's topsoil could be gone within 60 years.—
Matt Alderton,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Findings show that the strength, appearance, and overall technical performance of the clay bricks will remain consistent, ensuring that sustainability gains are achieved without compromising performance standards.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
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Rich earth tones—clay, sand, and khaki—feel modern right now, offering a polished, understated alternative to traditional blue.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Due to unseasonably warm temperatures, many areas on the slopes are spotted with slush and mud.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The difference between the energy of the machine that resolutely crosses the cordillera and the tiny zeal in the wings of an insect that asks only for leaves to eat and mud in which to house her eggs.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Humus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humus. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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