ground 1 of 3

1
as in yard
grounds plural the area around and belonging to a building an escorted tour of the White House and its surrounding grounds

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Relevance
2
as in sediment
grounds plural matter that settles to the bottom of a body of liquid strain the coffee to remove the grounds

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3
as in reason
grounds plural something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing evicted the tenants on the grounds that they violated the lease

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4
5
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7
as in backdrop
the physical conditions or features that form the setting against which something is viewed take her picture against a blue ground in order to bring out her blue eyes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

8
as in land
the solid part of our planet's surface as distinguished from the sea and air was glad to be back on the ground after a turbulent flight

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ground

2 of 3

adjective

ground

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verb

as in to base
to find a basis you're grounding your entire case on circumstantial evidence

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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 ground
Noun
The coarse-ground sausage is an ode to the aromatic, tangy version Moua made with her grandparents growing up on their family farm in central Wisconsin. Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of the likelihood of inundation reaching 3 feet or more above normally dry ground on the oceanside, especially in low-lying areas near the water. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Heat is delivered by chiles, hot sauce, red chili flakes or simply an embarrassing amount of freshly ground black pepper. Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025 To best simulate this, either buy or make cold brew (coarsely ground coffee, mixed 7:1 with water, let sit at room temp for 24 hours and filter), then freeze it into ice cube trays. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 19 July 2025
Verb
The single-page notice contained no argument and did not say on what grounds the state would base its appeal of the decision by the intermediate appellate court. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025 If you are grounded, others feel permission to be honest, human and whole. Ashley B. Stewart, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ground
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground
Noun
  • His goal at Stamford Bridge to seal a 2-1 victory — struck with vicious velocity from 25 yards in what was his 11th successive league appearance as a substitute — was the first eye-catching indication of his talent.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Given the price surge in the wide receiver market over the last couple of years, Meyers — who had never logged 1,000 yards in five seasons before 2024 — may be angling for a contract Las Vegas is not willing to pay.
    Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Jay Michels, erosion and sediment control specialist for EOR, Tri-Lakes' consulting firm, said some are bothered by the DNR's reservations about the technology.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The widespread badlands of the modern Bighorn Basin expose remarkably fossil-rich sediments.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Whatever the reason behind the tradition may be, Swift and Mahomes were all smiles in the Dirty 30 photo as the WAGS prepare to head into football season together and cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • For those reasons and more, Rohl’s signing on a season-long loan, with a €20million obligation provided Everton avoid relegation, is intriguing.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In California’s strawberry fields, an ICE raid sparked widespread panic and disruption among farmworker communities.
    David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Charlotte’s second consecutive 11-play drive halted in the red zone after Harrell led the 49ers down the field with repetitive strikes through the air, finding his favorite target, Javen Nicholas, to set Charlotte up in scoring position.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In the second inning, Lugo allowed a two-run single to Kerry Carpenter with the bases loaded, which cut into the KC lead.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Those are the stereotypes attached to the people in charge of these franchises with massive, multinational fan bases — until now.
    Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Recalling the English folk motif of the tree as possessing healing powers, a clump of soil dug up from an orchard in Lothlórien is used to replenish the scoured Shire.
    Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Israel has been engaged in a war with Gaza since a deadly 2023 terrorist attack on Israeli soil, which has seen ballistic missiles and rockets fired at the country.
    Brett Tingley, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the show’s late 1800s backdrop, much of the material still holds up today, from Laura’s (Melissa Gilbert) teen angst to heavy storylines involving topics like grief, spirituality, addiction, and more.
    Kelly Martinez, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • This week’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit gave the photograph its backdrop.
    Spriha Srivastava, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • These new courts are frequently built on land near tennis facilities, like open fields of grass or dirt, or parking lots: Building new courts isn’t cheap.
    Ethan Singer, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
  • And the peoples of the Klamath are still healing along with their lands and waters.
    Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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