1
as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something
spattered with muck from the pigpen
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of muck
Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
Nebraska got bogged down in the winter muck after an end to the 2025 season marked by four losses in five games, the final three in ugly fashion.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 2 Feb. 2026
Siniaková, the No. 1 doubles player in the world, started to muck things up, and Anisimova’s serve began to stray.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muck
Noun
This is music that’s grounded in the muck and the mire of mundane existence; escape is always just out of reach.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
Nebraska got bogged down in the winter muck after an end to the 2025 season marked by four losses in five games, the final three in ugly fashion.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
The federal government shutdown in October might have mucked things up.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 2 Feb. 2026
Siniaková, the No. 1 doubles player in the world, started to muck things up, and Anisimova’s serve began to stray.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muck
Noun
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The pile of rock, dirt and low-quality coal began slowly burning two decades ago, according to the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS).—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
By blending emotionally powerful country sonics with red-dirt sound, Bowlin evokes the energy of names such as Jason Isbell, Zach Bryan and the early work of BJ Barham and American Aquarium.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Chokecherry red with aspen green, with mud brown.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The appeal of Larsson lies less in her songcraft than in her got-it-out-the-mud performer’s grit.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Why wouldn't you if your press conference du jour was a junk fees settlement with the HungryPanda delivery app?—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Kate Bowler examines the appeal of junk.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Knowing what not to put down a garbage disposable can help preserve your appliance and your peace of mind.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
12 Apr. 2026
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The lack of fuel has worsened the country’s other longtime problems, from pumping water, picking up garbage to producing food, among others.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Being a part of Infowars was not just a temporary sacrifice, but an irrevocable black mark on all of us, and according to Jones, working alongside him would forever stain our résumés and limit our prospects.—
Josh Owens,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Make sure the deck is completely dry before staining or sealing it.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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However, in high-quality soil, carrots (Daucus carota) can thrive, and their growth below ground can provide some protection against diseases.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
17 Apr. 2026
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Arsenic concentrations in Colorado soil typically range from 1 to 20 milligrams per kilogram of soil.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Each board comes with spread containers, bowls and a cheese knife.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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There's enough melty cheese and creamy marinara sauce for every bite of chicken.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This is why all the whining and complaining from small market teams across the sport is manipulative nonsense.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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Or from whatever this risibly self-serious metaphysical nonsense about performance and possession, creation and exorcism, aims to be.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muck. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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