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
Nuclear facilities can require specialized molds capable of producing complex geometries with tight dimensional tolerances while withstanding substantial pressure from the concrete. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 Carbon composite manufacturing involves laying down carbon fiber layers in a mold, then curing, or heating, the material to bind the fibers together. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
An omakase meal at Morihiro taught me that the rice is actually the most important part of any sushi experience, and no one molds it with it as much panache as chef Morihiro Onodera. — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Since then, the shoes have continued to mold to my feet with each wear. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 12 Sep. 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
  • Obviously, the network of partners and proxies did not deter an attack on Iranian soil.
    — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The work raises new questions about soil, carbon, and even what counts as an individual organism.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • The first responding officer opened one of the suitcases and discovered a woman's decomposing body -- naked, bound with rope and in a fetal position.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Remnants of a wooden spear weren’t found near the Neanderthal’s remains, which is understandable since the material often decomposes so quickly.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of decompose
Noun
  • Video of the attack showed Levine lying on her side on a dirt path with her hands over her face as at least three settlers surrounded her.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Piles of dirt were placed on tarps, transferred into buckets and carefully sifted under a tent as crews searched for potential evidence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of dirt
Verb
  • In recent years, many grape growers have left fruit to rot on vines, and many winemakers have product sitting in tanks.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The bacteria comes from a variety of sources, including soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation and animals, according to the FDA.
    — Eva Flowe October 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of rot
Noun
  • Expect Raman, whom City Hall opponents have long trashed as conflict-averse, to focus on a message of possibility and positivity while holding her ground and striking back — and hard — when necessary.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • For now, PhoneBot has no arms, and its walking was trained only on flat ground.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of ground
Verb
  • Some classic stuffing recipes call for plain white bread, which will likely absorb too much moisture and disintegrate.
    — Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Whatever one believes about the allegations against the couple, the devastation of watching an academic and media career disintegrate in real time is difficult to dismiss.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of disintegrate
Noun
  • Beaches typically go through a seasonal cycle with powerful winter waves dragging sand out to sea and more mild summer waves depositing the sand back onshore.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The storm made landfall Friday near Destin, Florida, a Gulf Coast area known for powdery white-sand beaches and dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars, and seafood shacks.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • At what point, for instance, does decaying plant tissue break down enough to become nutritious compost?
    — Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The family could have cleared out a decaying bungalow and built something simpler in its place.
    — Nuriyah Johar, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of decay

Browse Nearby Words

mokes
mold
moldable
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Cite this Entry

“Mold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mold. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mold

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mold

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