as in grime
a black powder that is formed when something (such as wood or coal) is burned
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 soot
Inside a charred book, pages dotted in soot stains tell the story of how San Francisco rose to the epicenter of a gold rush.
—
Sneha Dhandapani,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
When a wick grows too long or a candle burns for too many hours at a stretch, the flame can become too large and hot, causing the wick to produce excess carbon and release black smoke or soot.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
His uniform and scalp were lined with glistening rivulets of oil, water, soot and sweat.
—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
The authors wrote that rocket soot increases stratospheric temperatures, alters atmospheric circulation and depletes the ozone layer.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for soot
Sneha Dhandapani,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
When a wick grows too long or a candle burns for too many hours at a stretch, the flame can become too large and hot, causing the wick to produce excess carbon and release black smoke or soot.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
His uniform and scalp were lined with glistening rivulets of oil, water, soot and sweat.
—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
The authors wrote that rocket soot increases stratospheric temperatures, alters atmospheric circulation and depletes the ozone layer.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for soot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soot
Noun
-
After use, the cleaning cap can be attached to rinse the brush head and hose with one button, helping reduce the leftover grime that can make compact carpet cleaners unpleasant to store.
-
The collection contains records that were crucial in forming his garage-punk sensibility, mixing up 1970s urban grime with 1960s psychedelia.
Noun
-
Your pores might be congested with gunk or product residue, so double-cleansing can make all the difference.
-
Neurons, firing hundreds of times per second, get clogged with their own gunk—and the accumulation of that gunk is what triggers the need to sleep.
Noun
-
The dogs were living in inhumane conditions that included floors covered in feces and filth.
-
As the decades passed, the crowding and filth in the rapidly growing cities in the industrializing nations of Europe and North America created perfect conditions to fuel epidemic outbreaks that could steal the lives of those of any age or rank, but were most dangerous for the very young.
Noun
-
If using a commercial houseplant soil, add some extra perlite and/or orchid bark to lighten it up a bit.
-
Sensors give engineers more ways to see inside concrete, steel, soil and water, turning some surprise closures into repairs planned months earlier.
Noun
-
There used to be more opportunities, in other words, to separate the wheat from the crud.
-
This isn't just unsanitary—the buildup of crud could eventually interfere with your mixer's moving parts.
Noun
-
This crock has plenty of room to keep every daily utensil conveniently on the counter, and it’s finished with a cork mat on the bottom to stay steady and protect your counters.
-
Other appliances like toaster ovens, air fryers, and crock pots also pose a safety risk (especially if they’re not cleaned properly after use).
Noun
-
The prospect of even a mini-Dust Bowl is alarming as the original disaster during the Great Depression sent dust clouds across rural America, wiping out entire communities and triggering mass migration to other parts of the country.
-
Here’s where the story gets sprinkled with fairy dust.
Noun
-
The 29-year-old has arrived at Rolling Stone’s office in distressed cutoff denim shorts and custom boots self-designed to look like she’s been trekking through sludge à la Kate Moss at Glastonbury 2005.
-
In many cases, the blockage comes from sludge in the line, which can sometimes be cleared with a simple flush of water or with a wet/dry vac at the exterior drain outlet.
Cite this Entry
“Soot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soot. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
