Thesaurus results for HUMUS

humus

noun

Definition of humus

as in loam

a brown or black material in soil that is formed when plants and animals decay

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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 humus Water the pile gently, or simply wait for rain to jump-start the process of turning organic debris into nutrient-rich humus. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025 In flower beds, a light layer acts as natural mulch, insulating roots and conserving soil moisture while decomposing into rich humus over time. — Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 5 Oct. 2025 Brunch might mean a humus bowl layered with lamb and pickled onion, or a shakshuka made with black lime tomato stew. — Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Unless the compost is fully broken down into humus, this incorporation will also work organic matter into the soil, which helps with aeration and further supports microorganisms. — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for humus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for humus

Noun

Such fraudulence bore only poisoned fruit, swelling overseas bank accounts for the Manchurian candidates who were seeding duplicity into the loam of their nation’s imagination.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Given time enough, gravity will return those rocks to their long sleep in the loam.

— Matt Seaton, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026

Definition of loam

Noun

But when drought struck Oklahoma and surrounding states, as drought regularly did, the topsoil dried out and blew away.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Lundberg’s grandfather came to California in 1937, leaving behind the Midwest where the rain had quit for years and the plowed topsoil had blown away.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of topsoil

Noun

Daffodils, alliums, crocuses and snowdrops are somewhat more tolerant of clay soil than other bulbs.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
For three years, as Israeli bombs made ruins of the ground, some of the trees and vines had clung to life in the spongy layer of clay below.

— Ghada Abdulfattah, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of clay

Noun

The Diocletian Ritual, comprising a salt scrub, cleansing mud wrap, and massage, is both invigorating and restorative.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The 1983 movie, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, portrays the fight as gritty and grounded, taking place during a rainstorm where mud flies as fast as fists.

— Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of mud

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hums

humus

humuses

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“Humus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humus. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of humus

noun

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