undergrowth

noun

Definition of undergrowthnext
as in vegetation
low-growing plant life (such as bushes or seedlings) existing under larger trees in a forest A thick undergrowth covered the rain forest.

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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 undergrowth Armed with a basket and a stick, her keen eyes scanned the damp, leafy undergrowth. — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026 LightRocket via Getty Images The pride lay hidden in the undergrowth. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 There was a strong wind, blowing in my favor and making enough noise in the undergrowth to cover my movements. — Fred Bear, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026 Rodent holes, brush piles, firewood, timbers, dense undergrowth, and leaf piles can also attract wasps in search of a place to nest. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for undergrowth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undergrowth
  1. vegetation
  2. foliage
Noun
  • Before construction began, the lot of land was flat and covered with vegetation.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • More rubbing produces mahogany, tan and brown hues, caused by staining from contact with vegetation.
    — Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of vegetation
Noun
  • How to Save Brown Boxwoods If your boxwood shrub is browning but still alive, the first step (beyond identifying the root cause of the browning) is to trim away all the dead and diseased foliage and branches.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Overgrown foliage has invaded the front yard of the Silver Lake home that Vela Gonzalez used to maintain.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of foliage

Browse Nearby Words

undergrounds
undergrowth
undergrowths
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Cite this Entry

“Undergrowth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undergrowth. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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