mold 1 of 2

noun

Definition of moldnext
as in soil
the loose surface material in which plants naturally grow mold so rich that just about anything will grow in it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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mold

2 of 2

verb

as in to decompose
to go through decomposition plants molding in the abandoned garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 mold
Noun
Inspectors found rodents, roaches and mold at multiple Tarrant County food establishments during the latest round of health inspections, according to the inspection report. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2026 Set them stem-end down to prevent mold from developing where the stem connected. — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
The four women have returned to the system that helped mold them under a new name, performing music that system might never have written on its own had they not reached out for greater control. — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 The berries will mold faster if damaged, and the mold can quickly spread to nearby strawberries. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mold
  1. soil
  2. decompose
  3. dirt
  4. rot
  5. ground
  6. disintegrate
  7. sand
  8. decay
Noun
  • Periwinkle prefers a temperate climate and needs a soil with a good amount of compost.
    — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Although each vineyard has its own unique soils, exposures, and water availability, the sibling regions are simply two different appellations cultivating the same grape.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • Authorities said the remains included bones believed to belong to four newborns and the decomposing body of a fifth.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
  • Ament revisited his archive of decomposing negatives with his brother, designer Barry Ament, a few years ago.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2026
Definition of decompose
Noun
  • That one feature has taken Volkwine’s crew more than five months of moving dirt, laying rebar and concrete and hand-shaping every line in the smooth surface that untold numbers of skaters and bikers will use starting this fall.
    — Noah Daly July 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 July 2026
  • All that spectacle is unmatched in American and in global Thoroughbred racing on dirt, and to varying degrees all of it freaks out each and every horse that runs in it.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of dirt
Verb
  • Second, and perhaps more scientific (as far as these things go) is the fact that Sunfyre had not, in any way, begun to rot.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The result will be a multi-trunk tree with weak branches growing from a rotting stump that can attract pests like termites and carpenter ants.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of rot
Noun
  • Such is the fate that befalls Meta, whose shares fell as much as 10% in after-hours trading Wednesday after the company missed earnings due to costs ballooning 55% (Meta’s stock later recovered some ground and was down 7%).
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 July 2026
  • In 2012, China occupied Scarborough Shoal, a traditional Filipino fishing ground inside the Philippines’ EEZ, endangering the lives of Philippine personnel and fishermen in the process.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of ground
Verb
  • Comedy is a delicate object; a funny play on words in one language might disintegrate in another.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • The breakaway Super League succumbed to the pressure and disintegrated quickly, with nine of its founding members withdrawing in a matter of days.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of disintegrate
Noun
  • Several inches of sand fill the front row of Aliso Beach's parking lot after surf coupled with high tides pounded the Orange County shore.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • The ability to walk from your bed to the sand and stare at the sea is the star of the show here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • Event speakers on Thursday acknowledged the roadblocks facing foreign companies in Venezuela, including decaying infrastructure, political uncertainty and the instability wrought by June’s devastating earthquake.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Second, the array will track decay pathways that mirror stellar reactions, showing how heavy elements form during supernovae and neutron star collisions.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of decay

Browse Nearby Words

mokes
mold
moldable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mold. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mold

Nglish: Translation of mold for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mold

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