1
as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something
spattered with muck from the pigpen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
4
as in garbage
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
there's some solid substance in this book, but the reader has to trudge through a lot of muck to get to it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to stain
to make dirty
you can't work in the garden and not expect to muck your clothes
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 muck
Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
On the path of committing to the bit, Hathaway and her film diverge in terms of quality; the movie is awe-inspiringly ill-begotten, but its leading lady deserves a medal for finding something juicy amid the muck.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
On a team filled with 3-point shooters, there might be a place for a player like Sochan to muck things up inside and be an effective disruptor.
—Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muck
Noun
But during World War II, about 20,000 acres of Lake Apopka’s north shore were drained and converted into muck farms to grow vegetables needed to feed troops for a nation at war with Axis forces in Europe, Africa and the Pacific.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
On the path of committing to the bit, Hathaway and her film diverge in terms of quality; the movie is awe-inspiringly ill-begotten, but its leading lady deserves a medal for finding something juicy amid the muck.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Verb
Whether shoveling your driveway, building a snow man with the kids, or just generally mucking around in the cold, sleet and snow, Muck Boots will keep you comfortable and protected.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
On a team filled with 3-point shooters, there might be a place for a player like Sochan to muck things up inside and be an effective disruptor.
—Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muck
Noun
-
Hip-checked by Seymour on the play at the plate, Neto remained on the dirt for several minutes before athletic trainers helped him to his feet.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Coming off the field, Sosa spiked the ball off the dirt toward the pitcher’s circle.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Later an Iron Age bowl was found in the mud, and bones that appeared to have been modified by humans were discovered as well, leading researchers to conclude that the cave had once been occupied by prehistoric people.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
1 June 2026
-
Couples can get messy together at Sulphur Springs (where the mud baths are reputed to heal sunburn and soothe sore joints) and rinse off under a 50-foot-tall waterfall.—
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
That’s a lot of new junk if the trend continues.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
-
The right organizers transform chaotic spaces into functional ones — drawer dividers that prevent junk drawers from becoming black holes, cabinet organizers that maximize vertical space and hanging storage that uses doors instead of precious floor space.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The Paris police prefecture said smaller groups caused disturbances in various locations, with some vandalizing shops and setting fires to garbage and self-service bicycles in the streets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
-
Protesters were later seen pelting ICE vehicles with kitchen towels and trash as garbage littered the ground.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
But staining showed no RNA or DNA molecules, indicating that the cells were definitely dead.—
Siddhant Pusdekar,
Quanta Magazine,
1 June 2026
-
The Bruins’ bat boy’s tears stained the front of Cholowsky’s jersey as his sobs grew heavier by the second.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Cats become infected by eating raw meat, birds, mice or contaminated soil, and only cats that are actively shedding parasites in their stool can spread it.—
Dr. Megan Yanny,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Plant them at least 12 inches apart from each other and bury them completely in soil, leaving only the leaves exposed.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Food and drink Parkhuus is the all-day dining restaurant that starts off with a delightful buffet that crisscrosses Europe with its selection of cheeses and deli meats.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Fanny owned a raclette electrique, which comes with a grill and individual pans so that each person can melt their slice of cheese.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
That’s the prayerful explanation for the nonsense that spouted this week from the leaders of a football conference that hopes to grow up and be the Big Ten someday.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Let’s see if the Pomona Unified School District, which pays thousands of dollars to support its schools’ athletic program, is going to act and stop this nonsense.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muck. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
