muck 1 of 2

noun

ˈmək How to pronounce muck (audio)
Definition of mucknext
1
as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something spattered with muck from the pigpen

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2
as in mud
soft wet earth her shoes were covered with muck by the end of the soccer game

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3
as in junk
that which is of low quality or worth what's this muck that you've been watching on TV, anyway?

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4
as in garbage
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense there's some solid substance in this book, but the reader has to trudge through a lot of muck to get to it

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muck

2 of 2

verb

as in to stain
to make dirty you can't work in the garden and not expect to muck your clothes

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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 muck
Noun
Even when House of the Dragon is at its best, the prophecy skitters in to make a muck of things. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The same motions repeat across the spring as men pull out algae, muck, weeds, and plastic waste clogging the streambed. — Umar Farooq, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
Law enforcement has a tough enough job already, without politicians mucking it up. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 6 May 2026 Jonas Valanciunas rejoined the action at backup center, mucking things up. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for muck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muck
  1. dirt
  2. mud
  3. junk
  4. garbage
  5. stain
  6. soil
  7. cheese
  8. nonsense
Noun
  • Sulfates are cleansing agents that attract oil, product buildup, and dirt.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Exit the parking lot in the southeast corner and head to the Lower Beacon Trail, a wide flat dirt path parallel to the road.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of dirt
Noun
  • In many cases, bodies have been washed far downstream and rendered unrecognizable, while others still missing are feared to have been buried in the torrent of thick mud.
    — Andrew Jones, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
  • After months of further reporting, handwringing, mud-slinging and general messiness, the NBA dropped the hammer yesterday.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of mud
Noun
  • The Workshop will have a space to customize your own junk journal.
    — Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Utilities Another common sight in the kitchen is a junk or utility drawer (or two).
    — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of junk
Noun
  • The government still has not come up with a solution to the mountainous piles of rotting garbage that accumulate on the streets for months.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
  • One of the nurses tried to cover up the error by fishing the empty bottle of the muscle relaxant out of the garbage and taking it home.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of garbage
Verb
  • The Lincoln, the length of its hull stained by rust from the extended time at sea, pulled into the port of Laem Chabang, not far from the city of Pattaya, a prime destination for US military rest-and-relaxation visits since the Vietnam War.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The white cocoons are torn through and stained with yellow-brown secretions.
    — Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • After about a month of consistently moist soil in a warm place with bright, indirect light, your chrysanthemum cutting should be rooted.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Stronger downdraft winds and loose, dry soil can impact how much dust is lifted into the air.
    — Brandi D. Addison, AZCentral.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of soil
Noun
  • Burnt on cheese and sauce still stained a bit, even with a dark charcoal gray glaze, but that was more of an aesthetic issue than anything affecting performance.
    — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • On weekdays, a steady stream of regulars stop in the light and bright space for their morning coffee and croissant or to sit for a bit with a ham and cheese sandwich and one of the shop’s seasonal specialty drinks.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheese
Noun
  • Statham, who turned 59 this summer and is still in incredible shape, performs on his usual high-octane, no-time-for-nonsense level.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The nonsense began last year as a stunt tied to a cryptocurrency group, but more recently has been linked to groups protesting league policies.
    — Greg Cote August 23, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of nonsense

Phrases Containing muck

Browse Nearby Words

mucilages
muck
muck (about or around)
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Cite this Entry

“Muck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muck. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on muck

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about muck

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