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
Unlike straw or lower-grade wool blends, beaver felt can be reworked without collapsing its structure, which is what allows hats to be reshaped by hand rather than stamped out of a mold. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 July 2026 The entire process from mold making to animating the elephant now takes Prakashan and his crew about 15 days. — ABC News, 3 July 2026
Verb
That means items that frequently get wet, like hedge clippers, gardening gloves, and water toys, won’t mold and mildew when they’re put away. — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 29 June 2026 The Ojai audience, having been molded over the decades by the likes of Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Mitsuko Uchida, is not easily fazed. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 29 June 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
  • Alford also commented on the recent Supreme Court decision upholding the long-standing interpretation that anyone born on American soil is an American citizen.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • German rockets launching from Canadian soil may be a bridge to that until Canadian companies can develop their own boosters.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • What remains that haven’t been scavenged have decomposed to the point where DNA analysis is difficult and all but useless in Gaza, where there are no functioning laboratories able to test and compare samples.
    — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Earwigs primarily feed on plants and decomposing organic matter and do not infest or damage stored food in the way some beetles, weevils, and moths might.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026
Definition of decompose
Noun
  • Turn hard, compacted dirt into rich, workable soil in no time with the Sun Joe Electric Garden Tiller.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • Kate Roberts secretly arranged to dig up dirt on her rival and Sheryl's old friend, Jordan Ridgeway.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of dirt
Verb
  • In his inital letter, Lehmkuhl agreed that there is an urgent need to clear debris and address the persistent odor of millions of pounds of rotting food at the site.
    — Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Applying mulch directly against plant stems traps moisture, leading to rotting and other issues.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
Definition of rot
Noun
  • Changes included a longer project timeline, uncertainty over whether the developers could provide community amenities such as a pool and less profitable ground lease terms, according to the district.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Now that space is a market and not just a proving ground, the engineering that was once the whole game is only the cost of entry — and as in any maturing market, most ventures will not make it past that threshold.
    — Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of ground
Verb
  • In the two-thousands, after the State disintegrated, Wain and two other members, Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black, formed the trio Stella, which helped define New York’s downtown alt-comedy scene.
    — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 5 July 2026
  • That changed in April 2023 when unknowing construction workers unceremoniously removed a disintegrating Pinky from its eyrie.
    — Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Definition of disintegrate
Noun
  • Throughout, seaside blues, forest greens, and neutral sand tones pleasingly reflect the colors just outside the hotel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
  • Then Rubye dug a hole in the cool sand and returned the arrowhead.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • Leave some messiness in your garden and leave the leaves, as decaying leaves are great habitat for fireflies.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Many kinds of fly larvae eat dead or decaying tissue and may sometimes end up on meat, but New World screwworm larvae need living tissue to survive and develop.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 July 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 12 Jul. 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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