mold 1 of 2

noun

Definition of moldnext
as in soil
the loose surface material in which plants naturally grow mold so rich that just about anything will grow in it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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mold

2 of 2

verb

as in to decompose
to go through decomposition plants molding in the abandoned garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 mold
Noun
High Heat And Humidity Moisture promotes the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 Both zucchini and cucumber suffer from the same diseases and pests, like gray mold, mildew, and cucumber mosaic virus, all of which can be exacerbated when grown next to one another. — Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026
Verb
Enter Carmen Liu, a lingerie designer who specializes in tucking underwear; and fajas, a shapewear garment fashioned after a corset that transgender women use these to mold their figures while undergoing transition. — Nicky Josephine, Vogue, 29 June 2026 The Ojai audience, having been molded over the decades by the likes of Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Mitsuko Uchida, is not easily fazed. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mold
  1. soil
  2. decompose
  3. dirt
  4. rot
  5. ground
  6. disintegrate
  7. sand
  8. decay
Noun
  • The family fought for three hours last July Fourth to stay alive after more than a summer’s worth of rain fell overnight on bone-dry soil, pushing the waterway from about 3 feet to 30 feet in just 45 minutes.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • The animals damage agricultural land, consume native vegetation, contribute to soil erosion and compete with livestock for forage.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • The Yolo County Central Landfill will build a new system that will convert methane from decomposing waste into renewable natural gas, the county announced Tuesday.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
  • The ocean becomes a creamy expanse splotched with brown mats of decomposing algae, according to photos shared by Abrams.
    — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Definition of decompose
Noun
  • Driving into the estate down a dirt track, you’re met with concrete walls that frame the space with gallery-like precision, directing your eyes toward geological features rather than distracting from them.
    — Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 2026
  • Washing blueberries removes dirt and toxins that may cling to the fruit during handling and transporting from farm to store.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026
Definition of dirt
Verb
  • In his inital letter, Lehmkuhl agreed that there is an urgent need to clear debris and address the persistent odor of millions of pounds of rotting food at the site.
    — Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Applying mulch directly against plant stems traps moisture, leading to rotting and other issues.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
Definition of rot
Noun
  • Since its inception, social media has been a proving ground for tween fashion and identity, offering under-16s a digital canvas to experiment with their style and form online cliques around niche interests.
    — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 2 July 2026
  • During the huge Round of 32 knockout showdown, packed crowds inside the legendary Estadio Azteca generated enough ground movement to trigger local seismic monitoring equipment.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of ground
Verb
  • That changed in April 2023 when unknowing construction workers unceremoniously removed a disintegrating Pinky from its eyrie.
    — Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • The experiments have shown how a self-repair mechanism enables the spindle to stabilize itself under force and avoid disintegrating.
    — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 29 June 2026
Definition of disintegrate
Noun
  • In the Sahel region of Africa, one of the hardest hit by climate hazards, millions of children face the threat of heat and sand and dust storms.
    — Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Dual suspension helps smooth rough trails, hydraulic disc brakes provide dependable stopping power in changing conditions, and four-inch fat tires improve traction across gravel, dirt, sand, and pavement.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • Leave some messiness in your garden and leave the leaves, as decaying leaves are great habitat for fireflies.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Many kinds of fly larvae eat dead or decaying tissue and may sometimes end up on meat, but New World screwworm larvae need living tissue to survive and develop.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of decay

Browse Nearby Words

mokes
mold
moldable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mold. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mold

Nglish: Translation of mold for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mold

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