1
as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something
got some sort of soil on my white pants
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dung
solid matter discharged from an animal's alimentary canal
the horse lifted its tail and deposited its soil on the grass
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in ground
the loose surface material in which plants naturally grow
bought rich soil to plant flowers in
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to stain
to make dirty
oil and grease soiled the mechanic's shirt
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of soil
Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Duyen built a device to measure soil parameters so that farmers can understand how to add fertilizer to improve crops.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Jan. 2026
Traditionally, farmers have added these living biofertilizers to soil, where acidity – plus the rival microbes who live there – pose a great threat, and thus for every amount of biofertilizers dumped into soil, only a portion gets to the roots.
—New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soil
Noun
By the time the researchers tested for them, the concentrations had declined to levels lower than those found in agricultural soils.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Duyen built a device to measure soil parameters so that farmers can understand how to add fertilizer to improve crops.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
In addition, racks inside one of the coolers were unclean and rusty, and the microwave ovens were visibly soiled.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Jan. 2026
Traditionally, farmers have added these living biofertilizers to soil, where acidity – plus the rival microbes who live there – pose a great threat, and thus for every amount of biofertilizers dumped into soil, only a portion gets to the roots.
—New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soil
Verb
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Classic raised garden beds made of wood and stained to protect them from the elements are a good way to pack a lot of plants into a small space.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
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Liu says her favorite flavor is the dark chocolate mochi, coated in enough cocoa powder to stain your fingers and likely your shirt.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The spoon even comes with measuring lines for a teaspoon and tablespoon, saving you from having to dirty another utensil.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
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The adventurous actress dirties up her frock and face to play the village pariah, who reeks of fish and would be no man’s idea of a suitable wife, except perhaps the one-eyed bum who sleeps in the town square.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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And any buyer that mucked with the platform would mess with one of Perplexity’s most important products.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the salmon blackens in a skillet, the spices awaken, encrusting the fish in peppery piquant.—
The Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
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And Hanceville’s fate is as murky as the fog that pours in at night, blotting out buildings and blackening the road ahead.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soil. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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