MOIL Synonyms: 226 Similar and Opposite Words

moil 1 of 2

noun

Definition of moil

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity went for a retreat at the monastery for a temporary respite from the moil of the modern world

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in labor

very hard or unpleasant work fed up with the moil and moneygrubbing of Wall Street, he decided to open a bed-and-breakfast in Vermont

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moil

2 of 2

verb

ˈmȯi(-ə)l

as in to labor

to devote serious and sustained effort miners moiling all day in the sunless recesses of the earth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to swirl

to be in a state of violent rolling motion the angry mob moiled around the courthouse

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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 moil

Noun

Through a stranger’s eyes, though, the UBA’s moil of laws and lore is a clear symptom of mental illness. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 The delight of online life gave way to its moil, and the pleasure of online services has been eroded by their many downsides, from compulsion to autocracy. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2020

Verb

There are strange things done in the midnight sun, by the men who moil for gold. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for moil

Noun

There’s a lot of commotion swirling around you, and much of the drama may not even involve you directly.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Robin’s younger sister Riverley heard the commotion and ran for help.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of commotion

Noun

Rising costs, shrinking market Rising costs and labor shortages have become major challenges for Japanese companies in the post-pandemic business environment, said Harumi Taguchi, principal economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
Throughout the world, rapidly aging countries have resorted to foreign labor to fill jobs left vacant by shrinking workforces and to care for surging elderly populations.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of labor

Verb

At that time, the company’s Fisher-Price, Barbie and American Girl brands were struggling to connect with changing consumer tastes and Mattel was reeling from the recent bankruptcy of Toys R Us.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
But, like many Universities, Drexel has been struggling financially, in part due to declining enrollment.

— Andrew Stelzer, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of struggle

Verb

Now, questions are swirling around the agreement, including who will pay for the benefits and when residents would receive them.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
Burnham’s comments come as questions about the incident – which triggered a major security response in the area and sparked international alarm – continue to swirl on both sides of the Atlantic.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of swirl

Noun

Larger deployments would introduce greater distances, stronger environmental disturbances, and more difficult communication conditions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
Airman Roger Fortson was in his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on May 3, 2024, when Eddie Duran responded to the apartment for a call reporting a domestic disturbance, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

— Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturbance

Noun

For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines while in the Legislature for leading California’s efforts to enact strict school vaccine laws.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of effort

Verb

Other factors sending Treasury yields higher are also continuing to churn, including worries about the big debt loads that Washington and other governments worldwide are supporting.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
In the churning, deep waters of the Bay of All Saints, conventional construction equipment doesn’t stand a chance.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of churn

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moiety

moil

moiled

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

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Synonyms of moil

noun

verb

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