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as in land
the solid part of our planet's surface as distinguished from the sea and air at the first sound of gunfire we hit the dirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in dung
solid matter discharged from an animal's alimentary canal tread carefully, as there's cow dirt all over the pasture

Synonyms & Similar 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 dirt Vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner and can cut through soap scum and dirt and fight stains. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 20 July 2025 The road narrowed into a dirt track, and David slowed down. Literary Hub, 18 July 2025 In areas that receive regular foot traffic, simply spreading a load of gravel over dirt will invariably lead to problems down the road. Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2025 Eldora Speedway has long been one of the top dirt tracks in the country. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dirt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirt
Noun
  • Compost is an all-purpose, slow-release soil amendment that provides a wide range of nutrients to plants while improving the health and structure of the soil.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2025
  • The book deftly expresses both grief for all of the violence perpetrated on American soil and a profound love for all of the beings that inhabit this continent.
    The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • There’s a certain romanticism that lies at the heart of these remarkable gins, something conjured, perhaps, by that dramatic meeting of land and sea.
    Camille Berry, Vogue, 15 July 2025
  • Driftwood logs pile up along the shore like a sculptural installation, and gray whales are sometimes visible from land in the spring.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Dredging would have removed about four to five feet of muck and other material from the floor of the lake, increasing its depth to 12 feet in some places.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2025
  • And years of exposure to heat, chemicals, and environmental muck can also strip away some of your hair’s natural gloss, leaving it looking duller, Dr. Lo Sicco notes.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Access to clean cooking equipment in sub-Saharan Africa continues to lag behind other regions, with four in five people using wood, charcoal, or dung as fuel over open fires or using basic stoves, according to an International Energy Agency report.
    Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 23 July 2025
  • When not elbow-deep in dino dung or outrunning raptors, Laura Dern's heartfelt performance in Jurassic Park shows why women really deserve to inherit the Earth — and all of the acting awards.
    Huntley Woods, EW.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • These are the stewards of your internal ground truth engine.
    Michael Malyuk, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • Still, the fracas surrounding rookie Shemar Stewart’s contract covers new ground.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • However, the sewer expansion project was, at least in part, meant to accommodate a larger amount of sewage overflow from a growing population in the area from places like Sunrock.
    Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 15 July 2025
  • The notice states that Oakland County was previously notified of the need to address the sewage overflows in violation notices issued on Sept. 21, 2023, and April 29, 2025.
    Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • The fastidious formality of Monsieur Gustave H. exists right alongside his matter-of-fact vulgarity, a combination that Fiennes nails with astounding precision.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
  • Robert Rhoads, Oakland Park Politicians and vulgarities Your front-page article on the use of expletives by U.S.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Directing disaster tourists to one spot Last September, local officials assumed the mud and debris in Marshall would be enough to keep tourists away.
    Lila Hempel-Edgers July 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025
  • Astronomer’s company name has been dragged through the mud, though the vast majority of people sharing the image of Bryon and Cabot probably could not even describe what the company does.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirt. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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