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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
Place in the desiccator at 85° and 91°F (29°–32°C), and let ferment for 24-36 hours until a thin white mold appears on the blocks. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026 Pink brownish mold-like residue buildup on the blue cheese crumbles stored inside the cold-top cooler. — Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
Yeah, there’s still a full ACC schedule, and Miami isn’t on it, and Louisville comes to Atlanta in November, so there’s time for Brent Key to mold this team back into a contender. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 With nowhere else to go on short notice, a desperate Jerry casts her, and then tries to mold her into some kind of acceptable performance. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Sep. 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
  • Key Takeaways Aeration improves soil health by reducing compaction and helping nutrients reach grass roots.
    — Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The project explores how hydroponic growing—which grows crops in water instead of soil—and AI can reduce cotton’s reliance on these resources.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • Even worse, the process of trying to decompose those grounds can deprive your orchid of nutrients.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2026
  • McGraw said their policy is to allow carcasses to decompose naturally, which is similar to rules followed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Cotter said.
    — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of decompose
Noun
  • Leslie Goldman, who lives near Studebaker and Stearns, said large piles of dirt — at times higher than cars — have blocked residents from crossing the street or seeing oncoming traffic.
    — Barbara Kingsley-Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • While white doors can also show scuffs and dirt more easily, the hue is timeless and pairs well with a variety of exterior fixtures and colors.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of dirt
Verb
  • The interiors feature Borneo ironwood, valued for its resistance to termites, rot, and fungi, with about 90 percent of the wood being reclaimed.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The fire’s aftermath was just as bad, with cleanup crews having to contend with removing 89 million pounds of thawing, rotting meat, debris and other material.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of rot
Noun
  • Just be aware that the ship covers a lot of ground on some of these routes.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Blanch estimates at least 350 million barrels have disappeared from the global above-ground oil inventories since levels peaked in March.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of ground
Verb
  • After 14 years of exploration, the Galileo spacecraft intentionally fell into Jupiter and disintegrated in the planet's dense atmosphere.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Scott’s face, in this shot, is a whole novel, disintegrating into tears before being shored up again, eventually rearranged into something resembling a welcoming smile that teeters on the edge of collapse.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of disintegrate
Noun
  • Northwest Florida, where the Emerald Coast’s sugar-white sands meet the maritime forests of South Walton, is a landscape of striking contrasts.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The pre-election lines in the sand For generations, Brazilian politicians have argued over whether the country’s frustrations are best explained by forces beyond its borders or by failures within them.
    — Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • This is fun, if a little on the nose, and perhaps meant to be read ironically, evidence of how one era’s urgent fears decay into another’s kitsch.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
  • By writing an out-of-the-money call and an out-of-the-money put for late October, traders can harvest the elevated premium as time value rapidly decays.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 25 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mold

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mold

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