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

Relevance

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
Related Stop Mold Growth Even if no pests are visible, freezing also halts mold growth, which is often what attracts bugs like booklice. — Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026 Without regular cleaning, that damp environment can quickly lead to odors and even mold growth. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
In his aesthetic response to the movement’s stance, Mansour made mud his medium, layering and molding it for pottery. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Whereas a higher-end, authentic leather can mold to the shape of your foot, increasing comfort over time. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 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
  • The vigils, which drew tens of thousands of people a year, were the only large-scale public commemoration on Chinese soil of the Tiananmen crackdown, discussion of which is heavily censored in mainland China.
    — Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In the panicked days after the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil, New Yorkers agreed that their city had changed forever.
    — Hannah Natanson, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • Most of the remains were severely decomposed, but investigators believed Montgomery had been dead for less than a day when he was found.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Fifteen months later, 56 decomposing bodies were found at their South Chicago Chapel.
    — Susana Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of decompose
Noun
  • Where regular vacuums are made to pick up dust, dirt and pet hair, Shop-Vacs have the power to suck up nails, screws, wires, scraps of wood, metal, plastic and anything that fits inside the hose.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
  • As anyone who shops at Meadow Lane knows, Tribeca is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Manhattan, which puts it high on the list for the priciest patch of dirt anywhere.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of dirt
Verb
  • Flies buzz over the rotting carcass, which is riven by claw marks so unnaturally deep that no one can determine whomauledit.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • They shouldn’t be stored below 45 degrees because chilling can cause internal damage and eventually contribute to breakdown and rot, explains Gregorie.
    — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of rot
Noun
  • In August, the court, powered by its 6-3 conservative majority, blocked an earlier order by that judge on procedural grounds.
    — Reuters, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • If voted out, LSU could explore suing the conference on multiple grounds, including breach of contract and tortious interference with contractual relations, and seek many millions of dollars in damages.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of ground
Verb
  • In an instant, my protective shield disintegrated, leaving me raw and exposed.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Watch On Their goal was to understand what happens when satellites disintegrate and what chemical compounds arise in the process.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of disintegrate
Noun
  • Unique red sand, aqua seas, and dramatic lava cliffs provide an inspired setting.
    — Jennifer Tzeses, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Gelatin holds the mixture together and feeds the growing cells, while sand supplies structural mass.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • The book takes on the form of a journal by Utsugi, an aging patriarch, who, recovering from a stroke, discovers that while his body is decaying, his libido rages on.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Some detest the compost odor; others say decaying food attracts rats.
    — Emily Staunton, Christian Science Monitor, 2 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 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on mold

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of empirical

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All